Fire chief confirmed, union happy with pick

Ken Gilliam comes in with background in training from Twin Cities area.

Ken Gilliam was officially named, Wednesday, the new fire chief for La Crosse.

He will begin those duties, June 19, taking over for retiring Greg Cleveland.

The St. Paul deputy chief also is the director of fire training at Wisconsin technical college. That’s a good fit, according to fire union head, Lance Tryggestad.

“That’s something we’ve always been proud of with the La Crosse fire dept.” he said. “Our training programs. We never shy away from training. We’re always looking for new training. 

“And I’m sure chief Gilliam will bring in some of his background, his ideas, as well.”

Tryggestad is also interested to hear the ideas the new chief has for recruitment and retention.

“It’s always an issue when you’re just trying to just keep bodies and great people here in the city,” he said. “And we’re hoping he’s got some great ideas with that.”

The local union had raised concerns about the other finalist selected by the city, a former deputy chief of the Washington D.C. department.