Manley arrives in Holmen to become new fire chief in a few weeks

The incoming assistant fire chief for Holmen believes in “treating people right,” and having good training within the department. 

Buck Manley begins work on Monday at the Holmen Fire Department, and he’ll move up to the chief’s job by the end of August. 

Manley has come from Illinois to succeed the retiring Paul Menches as the Holmen fire chief. 

Both men spoke at a fire department news conference on Friday. 

The command change comes at a time when fire departments throughout the La Crosse area are being encouraged to collaborate on emergency service.

Menches, who plans to stay in the area, says the Holmen department should have a new leader to take the organization through its next phase of development.