Beloit Fire Chief retires abruptly amid regional staffing changes

BELOIT, Wis. (WTVO) — Daniel Pease, who has served as Beloit’s fire chief since 2020, has retired from his post effective immediately, city officials confirmed Thursday.

“Fire Chief Dan Pease retired from the City of Beloit effective immediately. We wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Beloit spokesperson Sarah Lock.

Pease joined the Beloit Fire Department in 2018 and was appointed interim chief in 2019 following the departure of former Chief Brad Liggett. His permanent appointment came the following year.

In addition to his role in Beloit, Pease had been slated to oversee fire services for both the Town of Beloit and South Beloit under a regional agreement scheduled to take effect in July 2024.

However, that arrangement unraveled last month when the Town of Beloit voted to terminate the contract with South Beloit, a move Pease himself had recommended.

South Beloit officials said they remain committed to resolving staffing challenges and will continue working with the Town of Beloit and the Illinois Fire Chiefs’ Association to identify solutions.

In the interim, Battalion Chief Todd Farley has been tapped to serve as acting chief. The city’s Police and Fire Commission will oversee the appointment of a new interim chief and the eventual hiring of a permanent successor.

“The hiring of the next fire chief is the responsibility of the PFC,” Lock said. “We will provide additional information to the community about the hiring process once the PFC makes its decision.”