Open house planned for Oshkosh residents to meet and greet fire chief finalists

OSHKOSH (WLUK) -- A public meet-and-greet is scheduled with the five finalists for the Oshkosh Fire Department's fire chief vacancy.

Community members are invited to attend the open house-style event March 31 from 5-7 p.m. at the Oshkosh Convention Center. The goal is to give residents an opportunity to interact with the candidates.

An extensive interview process will then begin April 1. Officials say they hope the new fire chief will start serving in May or June.

After a nationwide search, the following candidates have been selected as finalists:

Timothy Heiman

Timothy Heiman, currently Division Chief of Training for the Oshkosh Fire Department, Oshkosh, WI, has over 20 years of Fire and Emergency Management experience with 10 years as a supervisor and command level officer. Mr. Heiman earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Carroll University, an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from Milwaukee Area Technical College, and has attended the National Fire Academy.

Erik Jonas

Erik Jonas, currently Deputy Chief for Marshfield Fire and Rescue, Marshfield, Wisconsin, has approximately 18 years of Fire and Emergency Management experience with approximately 7 years as a supervisor and command level officer. Mr. Jonas has earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of New Haven, a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, and an Associate’s Degree in Paramedicine from Inver Hills Community College.

Gregory Stelter

Gregory Stelter, currently Assistant Fief Chief for the Oshkosh Fire Department, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has over 25 years of Fire and Emergency Management experience, with approximately seven years as a supervisor and command level officer. Mr. Stelter is completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire and Emergency Response Management from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, earned an Associate Degree in Fire Science Technology from Milwaukee Area Technical College, and has attended the National Fire Academy.

Andrew Wienckowski

Andrew Wienckowski, currently Deputy Fire Chief for Long Grove Fire Protection District, Long Grove, IL, has 30+ years of Fire and Emergency Management experience, with nearly 20 years as a supervisor and command level officer. Mr. Wienckowski earned a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security and Fire Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Service Management from Southern Illinois University.

Kurt Zellmann

Kurt Zellmann, currently Fire Service Program Coordinator at Milwaukee Area Technical College and previously Deputy Chief for the Southern Ozaukee Fire Department, Mequon, Wisconsin, has over 20 years of Fire and Emergency Management experience, with approximately 15 years as a supervisor and command level officer. Mr. Zellmann earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Service Administration from Columbia Southern University, an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from Milwaukee Area Technical College, an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Milwaukee School of Engineering, and has attended the National Fire Academy.

If you have additional questions regarding the recruitment for Oshkosh fire chief, contact Assistant City Manager/Director of Administrative Services John Fitzpatrick at (920) 236-5110.