De Soto Fire Chief Tony Ochoa’s last day at the Fire Department will be Friday. Ochoa submitted his letter of resignation on Dec. 16, De Soto City Manager Todd Melkus said.
“The city is in the process of fulfilling this management role, and those details will be announced within the next month,” Melkus said.
Ochoa, who has military, police and firefighter experience, started his job as De Soto fire chief on Sept. 5, 2023, at a salary of $60,000. His ending salary was $64,160, Melkus said.
The department, which covers the area within the De Soto city limits, employs seven full-time firefighters and five part-time firefighters when fully staffed, he said.
“It has been a pleasure working with Chief Ochoa, and we wish him all the best in his retirement,” Melkus said.
Ochoa, 56, of Arnold said he has plans to take a position as a firefighter at another agency, as well as do some work pertaining to law enforcement.
He said De Soto’s firefighters have been great to work with, and he likes the town and its business owners and residents. He said the Fire Department has the potential to be a great one.
He said he believes the department is in better shape as far as equipment, policies and programs than when he became chief. He believes the next chief will continue improvements at the department.
“The surrounding fire districts, like the De Soto Rural, Hillsboro, Potosi, I think we made some strides there working together,” Ochoa said. “Hopefully what I built will continue on.”
Ochoa joined the Air Force when he was 19 as a firefighter and retired as assistant chief, with the rank of master sergeant (E-7), he said.
After retiring from the military, the south St. Louis County native began a law enforcement career, working three years as a St. Louis Police officer and seven years with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
He also was a school resource officer for the Northwest R-1 School District for about three years.
Prior to coming to De Soto as chief, he was a firefighter at the Cedar Hill Fire Protection District.