Acting Fire Chief Promoted as the Hazelwood Fire Department's Permanent Head

In the wake of Hazelwood Fire Chief Jim Matthies’ , assistant chief Dave Radel  stepped up to be the acting chief as the city began the task of deciding who will permanently fill the position.

“A final decision on hiring a fire chief has been put on hold pending Radel’s performance over the next couple of months,” Hazelwood’s communications coordinator Tim Davidson said in an email at that time.

Well Radel's performance must be pretty good because Hazelwood's city manger Edwin Carlstrom has decided to hire Radel permanently.

When asked Monday about a search for a fire chief, Davidson said the goal the entire time, was to give Radel a chance.

"There really wasn’t a proactive search to find a new fire chief," he said. "City officials wanted to give Dave Radel some time to prove himself as a highly qualified candidate for the position. 

"Their intent was to promote from within if possible; and, David met the criteria in terms of experience, 33 years as a firefighter with four of those as assistant chief, leadership skills and familiarity with the Hazelwood area..."

Radel grew up in Hazelwood. When Hazelwood Patch social media miner and associate editor interviewed him this summer, he said that he welcomed the opportunity to serve the community permanently as Hazelwood’s new fire chief.

“I grew up down the street at 702 Teson Rd. from 1959 to 1974 and walked through where the my entire childhood,” Radel said. “I am a 1972 graduate of the , the only one at the time.”

Radel said he is in the process of establishing some committees within the department to give him advice on which areas need upgrades or improvements.

“Our department has some of the best firefighters and paramedics in the field," he said in a statement about his promotion. "I’m extremely confident in their ability to provide Hazelwood residents with fire protection and emergency medical services that are second to none.

"We will continue setting the bar higher under my watch.”

Radel was very humble in reaction to his appointment as permanent fire chief of the Hazelwood Fire Department. He said he can’t believe how much he's been blessed to have a job that is centered on helping people during their most vulnerable times.

“I would like to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity to serve in this capacity as fire chief," he said. "My family moved to Hazelwood in 1959. I grew up here, and I’ve chosen to raise my children here. I still live four miles down the road from our main engine house.”

To learn more about Chief Radel see the below related articles: