(WEAU) - The City of Eau Claire says current Deputy Chief Lyle Koerner will be the next Eau Claire Fire Chief. Koerner is schedule to begin Friday, November 11.

The department's current chief, Ed Kassing is retiring this month.

--------------------------------------------------------
City of Eau Claire News Release:

The Eau Claire Police and Fire Commission is pleased to announce, after conducting a nationwide
search, that Mr. Lyle N. Koerner Jr. has been appointed to the position of Fire Chief for the City of Eau Claire.

Mr. Koerner started his firefighting career as a volunteer firefighter for the Hazlehurst Volunteer
Fire Department in 1979 and joined the Eau Claire Fire Department in 1983. He has successfully risen
through the ranks of the Department and is currently the Deputy Chief of Operations, a position he has
held since 2001.

Jack Postlewaite, President of the Eau Claire Police and Fire Commission, stated “I’m very pleased with
the results of our recruitment process. Lyle is a competent and dedicated fire professional, and will
serve the community very well as Fire Chief.”

Mr. Koerner holds a Master of Science degree in Risk Control from the University of Wisconsin - Stout,
a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology from the University of Cincinnati, and
an Associate degree in Applied Science – Fire Protection Technology from the Fox Valley Technical
Institute. He also is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer program offered by the National Fire
Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Mr. Koerner is a current member of the State Fire Chiefs Association, Eau Claire County Fire Chiefs
Association (including serving as President from 2002-2006), and Wisconsin Society of Fire Service
Instructors. In addition to his association activities, he is an Instructor of Fire Services for the Chippewa
Valley Technical College and a Lecturer for the University of Wisconsin - Stout where he teaches a
course in Fire Protection and Prevention.
Mr. Koerner served six years in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, receiving an honorable discharge
as a Sergeant E-5.

Mr. Koerner is an active member of the community with involvement as a Free Mason,
secretary/treasurer of the Low Twelve Club, various activities with Immaculate Conception Church and
volunteering for Meals on Wheels.

Mr. Koerner is 50 years old and lives in Eau Claire with his wife, Kathy. They have two adult
daughters, Megann and Mackenzie. He will be paid an annual salary of $91,000.

Mr. Koerner will succeed Ed Kassing to be the 20th Chief for the Department. Chief Kassing is retiring
November 11, 2011, after serving four and a half years as Chief.

The Eau Claire Fire Department has 94 full-time employees that work from six stations. The
Department’s annual budget is $10.5 million. The Department responded to 7,417 calls for service in
2010.

The Police and Fire Commission is a five member group of citizens appointed by the City Council.
They oversee hiring and disciplinary matters for the Police and Fire Departments. Current members of
the Commission include Jack Postlewaite (President), Kristina Bourget (Vice President), Jill Barland,
Keith Glasshof and Dennis Pope.

--------------------------------------------------------
Story from October 31:

(WEAU) - The list is down to three. We may soon know who will lead the Eau Claire Fire Department

The department's current chief, Ed Kassing is retiring in November. The Eau Claire assistant city manager says current Deputy Chief Lyle Koerner, a chief in Lansing, Michigan and a former Joplin, Missouri fire chief who's now an associate dean at Western Tech in La Crosse are the top three candidates.