Chief Mick Fischer has taken a new position in another district after more than 30 years with Cedar Hill Fire.
Battalion Chief Bob Tucker has stepped in as interim chief.
Fischer’s final day with Cedar Hill Fire was March 27, which he called a “bittersweet” moment. On Monday, he began working in the Metro-West Fire Protection District’s fire prevention bureau. The district covers 57 square miles in Ballwin, Chesterfield, Ellisville and Sherman.
“I felt like it was time for a change, and that opportunity opened up for me, and it all kind of fell into place,” Fischer said. “It’s going to be a huge reduction in the workload for me, and a huge reduction in stress for me. As the fire chief here, basically, I need to be available 24/7, 365. Taking this job at Metro-West, which is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., there’s no waking up in the middle of the night or having to leave my family on the weekends.”
Fischer, 50, of Cedar Hill, started as a junior volunteer with the district in 1994 and was hired full-time in 2002. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2016 and selected to serve as chief in 2018.
Tucker, 52, of Imperial, began his time in fire service as a volunteer with the Rock Community Fire Protection District in 1991 and was hired at Cedar Hill in 2002. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2012 and named battalion chief in 2016.
Fischer said he’s confident Tucker will do a great job and recommended him to the Board of Directors to serve as interim chief.
“I think he is the most suitable person to fill that position,” Fischer said. “I’ve worked with Bob for many years. There were a lot of times I needed help, and he was my go-to guy because he has a good knowledge base, and I think that’ll help him be even more successful.”
Tucker said he felt mixed emotions about Fischer’s departure.
“I’m sorry to see Mick go, but I’m happy to be able to help out and hopefully get us through this transition,” he said. “We don’t have a timeframe on this interim position, but I feel like I could, and would want, to do this job. You know, we’ll see how things shake out here over the next couple of months.”
Fischer
Born and raised in Cedar Hill, Fischer graduated from Northwest High School in 1995. He earned an associate degree in fire science from Jefferson College, a bachelor’s degree in emergency service management at American University and a master’s degree in business from Western Governors University.
Fischer and his wife, Kelly, have two children, Emily and Ben. Emily is a senior at Northwest and is enrolled in Jefferson College’s early childhood program. Fischer said Emily is planning on following in her mom’s footsteps; Kelly is a teacher at Maple Grove Elementary School.
Ben was hired last month as a full-time firefighter at Cedar Hill, following in his dad’s footsteps.
Ensuring the district is fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars was one of Fischer’s proudest accomplishments during his tenure as chief. He said his degree in business helped prepare him to effectively use the district’s money to its full capacity.
He said much of the district’s equipment, such as turnout gear, EMS equipment, a boat trailer, a mechanical hose roller and sonar gear, was acquired through grant funding.
“If we were eligible for a grant, I applied for it,” Fischer said. “It allows us to gain a lot of technology and new equipment that we would not have been able to afford. (For example) we’re still waiting to see if we can get a drone. A drone is $30,000. I can’t justify spending that money out of our budget to buy a drone, but if I can get that money through a grant, it’s definitely an asset to our district.”
During his 32 years with the district, Fischer said he saw and was part of a lot of change: building a third station, hiring more full-time firefighters and purchasing necessary firefighting equipment.
Cedar Hill Fire has 24 employees, with seven firefighters on duty daily, not including officers.
The district covers 82 square miles and has three stations, with Station 1 and headquarters at 6766 Cedar Hill Road in Cedar Hill, Station 2 at 8800 Hwy. 30 in Dittmer and Station 3 at 8790 Byrnesville Road in Cedar Hill.
Fischer said the district is concerned about Question 1 on the April 7 ballot, saying that the property tax freeze could severely inhibit the district’s ability to operate as it is now.
If the measure is approved, eligible homeowners would receive an annual credit equal to the difference between 2024 and the current tax year. Some call the tax credit a “freeze,” because what they pay in taxes will largely stay unchanged once it’s in effect.
According to budget documents, $2.9 million of the district’s $3 million budget for 2026 comes from property tax revenue, with grants, permits and accrued interest making up the rest of the revenue.
Fischer said the district would lose about 25 percent of its annual budget, or $712,489.27, beginning in 2028 if the measure is approved. He said firefighters would likely have to be laid off, and at least one station would close, if the measure passes.
“We’ve really come a long way,” Fischer said. “I have a huge fear that districts like this one are going to start going backwards because of (the tax freeze). After spending so many years here seeing this place grow, be successful, serve our community, and the capacity that we have to provide additional services, I couldn’t fathom the thought of going backwards. I’m scared we’re going there if this stuff passes.”
Tucker
Tucker graduated from Fox High School in 1991, going on to earn his associate degree in fire service from Jefferson College and a bachelor’s degree in fire service administration from Eastern Oregon University.
Tucker and his wife, Melissa, have one daughter, Kate, who is a sophomore at Lindenwood University.
In his new role as interim chief, Tucker said he’s striving to ensure normal operations internally while also providing top-notch services to residents.
He said the district is preparing for an $11.6 million bond issue, which will be on the Aug. 4 ballot. If approved, the bond issue would help the district replace aging equipment, provide more training opportunities and hire more firefighters.
The district is also bracing for the tax freeze, Tucker said, if that measure is approved.
“(The tax freeze) absolutely concerns me,” he said. “Anytime that we’re going to have the possibility of losing income, it’s going to affect us. Inflation has hit us all. Electricity, fuel, insurance, payroll, we have seen increases in all of that.”