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Retiring fire chief event set
By Holly Johns
Daily News staff writer
ROCKTON - After nearly 48 years of service, Rockton Fire Chief Ron Weavel is hanging up the hose.
Weavel turned in his letter of resignation in mid-November and plans on officially retiring Jan. 12.
“You're allowed, through the state, three-year contracts and the board has been good to me,” he said. “It was just time to move on.”
Weavel decided in third grade that he wanted to be a firefighter because his classroom was right across from his hometown fire department.
“I was always looking out the window instead of doing my work,” he said.
His fascination with fire fighting would serve him well later in life, as he has made a lifetime career in the field.
Weavel started his journey in Beloit, but was only with the department for six months.
“At that time there was more action and promotion opportunities in Rockford,” he said.
Weavel moved to the Rockford Fire Department and continued to work as a lieutenant there for almost 20 years. He left to take a chief position at the Watertown, Wis., department for eight years before heading to Rockton in 1994.
“I love Rockton,” he said.
Even with all the traveling from department to department, Weavel said his biggest mentor was former Beloit Fire Chief Herbert Christiansen.
“I would come back to the department to visit the boys and he would always come see me no matter how busy he was,” Weavel said. “He also gave me a lot of direction.”
As chief of the Rockton department, Weavel also has given a lot of direction to younger firefighters.
“I think the biggest thing that has transpired is seeing the kids take the department and run with it,” he said. “Their education levels are great and a lot of them have stuck with us through the hard times. They have made this department great. We've accomplished a lot.”
Lt. Cory Magnus, who has worked with Weavel for about 12 years, said the chief has helped with updating equipment by getting almost a whole new fleet of engines and accomplished getting part-time employees to work at the station during the day.
“He did an excellent job for us,” Magnus said.
Weavel also mentioned the department's Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating had risen from a class six to a class four rating. Ratings go from one to 10, with one being the greatest. Weavel was proud of the department's accomplishment.
“We probably have one of the best paramedic services in the area,” he added.
Weavel said the biggest things he recalls in terms of an emergency at the Rockton department were the Wagon Wheel Resort fires.
“That's the most fire most of these kids will see in a lifetime,” he said of the three fires he helped control.
Weavel has seen a lot in his time fighting fires, and now he's ready to put that experience to use. During his retirement, Weavel plans on consulting with three fire departments and helping at his son's restaurant in Winnebago.
As for his position, the board is still in the interviewing process for the next chief.
Help celebrate
What: Open house to celebrate Rockton Fire Chief Ron Weavel's retirement
When: Jan. 11 from 1-4 p.m.
Where: Rockton Fire Station, 201 N. Blackhawk Blvd.
Daily News staff writer
ROCKTON - After nearly 48 years of service, Rockton Fire Chief Ron Weavel is hanging up the hose.
Weavel turned in his letter of resignation in mid-November and plans on officially retiring Jan. 12.
“You're allowed, through the state, three-year contracts and the board has been good to me,” he said. “It was just time to move on.”
Weavel decided in third grade that he wanted to be a firefighter because his classroom was right across from his hometown fire department.
“I was always looking out the window instead of doing my work,” he said.
His fascination with fire fighting would serve him well later in life, as he has made a lifetime career in the field.
Weavel started his journey in Beloit, but was only with the department for six months.
“At that time there was more action and promotion opportunities in Rockford,” he said.
Weavel moved to the Rockford Fire Department and continued to work as a lieutenant there for almost 20 years. He left to take a chief position at the Watertown, Wis., department for eight years before heading to Rockton in 1994.
“I love Rockton,” he said.
Even with all the traveling from department to department, Weavel said his biggest mentor was former Beloit Fire Chief Herbert Christiansen.
“I would come back to the department to visit the boys and he would always come see me no matter how busy he was,” Weavel said. “He also gave me a lot of direction.”
As chief of the Rockton department, Weavel also has given a lot of direction to younger firefighters.
“I think the biggest thing that has transpired is seeing the kids take the department and run with it,” he said. “Their education levels are great and a lot of them have stuck with us through the hard times. They have made this department great. We've accomplished a lot.”
Lt. Cory Magnus, who has worked with Weavel for about 12 years, said the chief has helped with updating equipment by getting almost a whole new fleet of engines and accomplished getting part-time employees to work at the station during the day.
“He did an excellent job for us,” Magnus said.
Weavel also mentioned the department's Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating had risen from a class six to a class four rating. Ratings go from one to 10, with one being the greatest. Weavel was proud of the department's accomplishment.
“We probably have one of the best paramedic services in the area,” he added.
Weavel said the biggest things he recalls in terms of an emergency at the Rockton department were the Wagon Wheel Resort fires.
“That's the most fire most of these kids will see in a lifetime,” he said of the three fires he helped control.
Weavel has seen a lot in his time fighting fires, and now he's ready to put that experience to use. During his retirement, Weavel plans on consulting with three fire departments and helping at his son's restaurant in Winnebago.
As for his position, the board is still in the interviewing process for the next chief.
Help celebrate
What: Open house to celebrate Rockton Fire Chief Ron Weavel's retirement
When: Jan. 11 from 1-4 p.m.
Where: Rockton Fire Station, 201 N. Blackhawk Blvd.
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