La Crosse losing its fire chief, Ken Gilliam moving on

It was indicated early in the meeting with a little joke, but La Crosse is losing its fire chief.

In opening Tuesday’s special Police and Fire Commission meeting, Doug Happel made a comment that this would be the last time Gilliam would be giving a personnel report.

“Chief Gilliam, this may be your last report for us,” Happel said. “Put a little pizzazz in it or something.”

A little longer into the meeting, the commission got to the third item on the agenda, “Fire Chief Recruitment Process.”

That’s where Gilliam officially announced his resignation.

“I’ll save my goodbyes for when I’m actually out of her next month,” Gilliam told the commission. “It’s been a great run here in La Crosse. Certainly not running away. Just moving to a unique opportunity.”

Gilliam told the commission he sent a letter of resignation last Friday. His last day on the job will be April 15.

Gilliam has been the chief since 2017. He has also been serving as Holmen’s fire chief since June of 2021.

The commission continued in the meeting discussing its past hiring process and how that will go in replacing Gilliam, which includes naming an interim chief as soon as possible.