🚒 HONORING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE — FIRE CHIEF JIM SITZLER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT 🚒

After more than 50 years of dedicated service, LaGrange Fire & Rescue Department announces the upcoming retirement of Fire Chief Jim Sitzler.

Chief Sitzler began his volunteer fire service career with LaGrange Fire & Rescue in 1976, assigned to Station 2 in Buckner. Throughout the years, he worked his way through the ranks, eventually becoming Captain, a position he proudly served in for many years.

Following the retirement of previous Fire Chief in 2003, Sitzler was appointed Interim Fire Chief. In 2007, the Board of Trustees hired Chief Sitzler as LaGrange Fire & Rescue Department's first career, paid Fire Chief, marking an important milestone in the history of our Department.

For nearly two decades as Fire Chief, Chief Sitzler has led the Department through significant growth, change, and modernization while remaining committed to the traditions and values of the fire service. His leadership and dedication have helped shape LaGrange Fire & Rescue into the organization it is today.

More than five decades of service to one department and one community is an extraordinary accomplishment. Behind those 50 years are countless emergency responses, training sessions, meetings, difficult decisions, friendships, and generations of firefighters who have had the opportunity to serve alongside Chief Sitzler.

In the coming months, we look forward to recognizing Chief Sitzler and celebrating his remarkable career as he prepares to close this chapter of more than half a century of service.

Please join the members of LaGrange Fire & Rescue Department and our Board of Trustees in congratulating Chief Jim Sitzler on his upcoming retirement and more than 50 years of dedicated service to our Department and community.

Chief, thank you for your leadership, sacrifice, friendship, and lifelong commitment to LaGrange Fire & Rescue. Congratulations on an extraordinary career!