St. Charles Fire Chief Retires

ST. CHARLES, IL — St. Charles Fire Chief Scott Swanson will be retiring from the St. Charles Fire Department next month, city officials announced this past week.

Swanson has served as fire chief since 2020 and his last day as fire chief will be Oct. 25. St. Charles Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Jeremy Mauthe has been appointed to take his place as fire chief starting on Oct. 26.

Swanson joined the St. Charles Fire Department full-time in 1988 and was promoted to lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and assistant fire chief before being appointed as fire chief. Swanson also previously served as acting fire chief in 2007 during the transition between previous fire chiefs, according to the news release from the fire department.

Under his leadership, the department successfully extinguished the largest fire in
St. Charles history when the former Pheasant Run resort buildings was set ablaze. He also updated the department’s strategic plan and earned reaccreditation by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc.

“Scott has provided exemplary service to the City of St. Charles for many years,” St. Charles Mayor Lora Vitekm said. “We thank him for his dedication and leadership to the St. Charles Fire Department, and his commitment to serving his community for nearly four decades.”

Swanson will be recognized by city council following the Oct. 7 meeting in council chambers, 2 E. Main Street. A farewell reception will be held at 3 p.m. on Oct. 25 in fire station #1, 112 N. Riverside Ave.