Rock Community Fire Protection District Chief Jeff Broombaugh has retired after 40 years with the district.
Broombaugh’s final day as chief was June 30. Kevin Wingbermuehle, who has been the district’s assistant chief since 2016 when Broombaugh was promoted to chief, was named the interim chief in June.
After a flag-retirement ceremony was held in his honor on June 30 at House 5 on Telegraph Road in Arnold, Broombaugh, 56, of De Soto said it wasn’t an easy decision to retire.
“When you have a great organization and a great group here, it wasn’t work,” he said. “I had their support, and I gave them all of my support. It is a good organization, and that is why I never looked outside this organization. From the time I was a volunteer, I knew this was unique place, and it felt like home.”
Wingbermuehle said the Rock Fire board of directors told him he will serve as interim chief for six months until a decision is made about who will be the district’s next chief.
Broombaugh was being paid a $124,893.60 annual salary, and Wingbermuehle is being paid $120,000.40 as interim chief.
Board President Ken Baker referred all questions about Broombaugh’s retirement to the district’s attorney, Frank Vatterott.
“The chief is voluntarily retiring,” Vatterott said. “I think he is sad to leave, which is understandable. He gave his life to Rock. He has been here many years.
“He is a good guy. I think the world of him as a chief and a person. He is classy. I have represented well over 20 districts in my career, and I think of him as one of the best. He is a good leader with vision, and he understands the big picture. He understands the district serves the citizens and property owners.”
Broombaugh will continue to be part of Rock Fire for the next year since he signed a consulting contract that will pay him $4,000 a month from July 1 through June 30, 2023.
“I think that is very important,” he said. “For the last few years, I have been working with chief ‘Wing’ because I knew at some point I was going to retire. I just didn’t get a chance to teach him everything. By being a consultant for a year, I will be able to reach out to him.”
Years of service
Broombaugh said he first became familiar with Rock Fire when he attended Windsor High School and was part of the district’s junior firefighter program. He began his Rock Fire career as a volunteer in 1983 after graduating from Windsor.
He said he was hired full time in 1987 and has held every position in the district except medical officer. Prior to being named chief, he served as a lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, deputy chief and assistant chief.
Broombaugh said he earned a bachelor’s degree in fire administration from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill., and a master’s degree in executive fire service leadership from Grand Canyon University, an online program through the Phoenix-based institution.
Broombaugh is a member of the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 5, the alumni associations for Western Illinois and Grand Canyon University, the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri, the Boy Scouts of America’s National Eagle Scout Association and the Arnold Rotary Club. He also is the secretary and member of the training executive board for the Jefferson County Emergency Services Association.
He also is a volunteer firefighter with the De Soto Rural Fire Protection District, and he plans to continue to volunteer for that district and continue to serve on the training executive board for the Jefferson County Emergency Services Association.
“Chief Broombaugh has always been one of the most hard-working and dedicated members of Rock Community Fire Protection District,” said Wingbermuehle, 45, of Arnold. “He is well-liked by his peers on a both personal and professional level. He’s one of those guys people turn to for advice because he is solidly grounded in his morals and character and has a natural ability to connect with anyone he encounters. In the fire service, it doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned veteran or a brand new firefighter, he will always take the time to listen and gives good advice to ensure success.”
Vatterott said Broombaugh has been a steady hand for the district as chief for the last six years.
Broombaugh said one of the highlights during his time as chief was in 2017 when voters approved a 50-cent tax increase for the district.
“In 2016, we were in financial trouble,” he said. “We worked with the citizens in the community and told them what our needs were to continue to provide them with the services that we provide. They blessed us with a tax increase. That tremendously helped the district out. We made sure we were good stewards of their money and set a 20-year plan out, and we have done that. We have a reserve back, and we have hired our staff back to full capacity.”
Wingbermuehle said Broombaugh maintained a balance between meeting the needs of the community and the district, while also making sure the district’s budget remained healthy.
He also said he has learned a lot from Broombaugh since joining Rock Fire in 1994 as a volunteer.
Wingbermuehle was hired on as a paid firefighter and paramedic in 1996 and promoted to captain in 2005. He served as captain for more than five years until he was promoted to deputy chief in 2011 and then assistant chief in 2016.
“From Day 1 one, Jeff has been a mentor to me, whether he realized it or not,” Wingbermuehle said. “ I appreciate that as a young firefighter he allowed me to make mistakes, but that he always had my back and never put me in jeopardy. His ability to always lead me in the right direction means the most to me, because I feel this gave me the best opportunities to learn and grow throughout my career.
“It has been a privilege to work with Jeff throughout the years. I wish him the most heartfelt congratulations on his retirement and best wishes for his next chapter. He has been an inspiration to many at Rock Community Fire Protection District, and he will be missed.”