Wood River fire chief retires after 21 years, takes Troy job

WOOD RIVER - Wood River Fire Chief Wade Stahlhut is retiring after 21 years with the department, the last six years as chief, but he's not hanging up his fire hat.

He will be taking a new job as deputy chief with the Troy (Illinois) Fire Protection District.

Stahlhut was honored at Monday's Wood River City Council meeting.

"We're going to miss him," Mayor Tom Stalcup said after the meeting. "He's been great for the city. He's been not only a great fireman and fire chief, but a personal friend.

"He had an opportunity for another job," Stalcup added. "He just turned in 21 years for the city. I guess it was enough to make him go that route."

Stahlhut said it was "extremely hard" to leave.

"It wasn't in the plans quite yet, but whenever opportunity comes it's the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next," he said.

He said because of increased development in the Troy area, the Fire Protection District is "transitioning."

"They are up and coming," Stahlhut said. "They basically have a lot of opportunity right now, to be able to assist them, I'm excited."

He also noted that it brings him full circle because he started at Laughlin Ambulance Service in Troy, the last ambulance service in this area to be run out of a funeral home.

Stahlhut's last day will be June 30.

Assistant Fire Chief Nathan Kamp will take over the department.

"I think the department is in capable hands," Stalcup said. "He came up through the ranks with Wade and worked with Wade. We look for good things from Nate."

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