Holmen finally has its fire chief, since last one was forced to resign

Menches to take over after 8-month hunt

Holmen finally has a new fire chief.

Back in November, the village suspended, then forced the resignation of old chief Doug Schober over claims of mismanagement.

Beginning in September, Paul Menches will take over. The 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he was part of the US. Fire Service. He also spent two years running Onalaska’s fire dept.

“I’m going to create a whole new organization,” Menches said at the press conference Wednesday. “Create two flights and put two companies in each flight and have officers supervise these flights and these companies.

“We got to set up a call-back system to bring people in during the times we need staffing – that’s on the weeknights and weekends.”

Menches was highly recommended by Onalaska Mayor Joe Chilsen, for his work from 2003-2006. Menches also worked at a fire dept. in Milwaukee.