Kenosha Fire Chief Retiring
Kenosha – John Thomsen is retiring from the Kenosha Fire Department after 32 years serving Kenosha as a firefighter, 10 of those years as fire chief.
Mayor John Antaramian said “He has a distinguished career. He should be very proud of what he has done, a good job. I wish him and his family best.”
‘Distinguished’ career
Thomsen began his career as an entry-level firefighter in 1984. In 1985, he was transferred to Station 3/Rescue 3, where he remained until 1996. During that time, Thomsen was promoted to lieutenant.
In 1998, Thomsen was promoted to fire inspector/fire investigator in the Fire Prevention Bureau until his promotion to captain in 2001 and assigned to Engine 4.
One year later, he was promoted to house captain of Station 4 assigned to Ladder 4. In 2006, he became an interim battalion chief and ultimately the chief in 2006. He is Kenosha’s longest-serving fire chief in five decades.
Thomsen’s last day will be July 19. He could not be reached for comment on Monda
