Wenzel to be next Brillion fire chief

Dec. 20, 2021

The Brillion News

BRILLION - Brillion City Council unanimously approved Garrett Wenzel to be the next chief of the Brillion Fire Department.

Wenzel's term will begin on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. The term will last through Dec. 31, 2026.

Wenzel will replace current chief Joe Diener, whose term expires on Friday, Dec. 31. Diener became chief at the start of 2017.

Wenzel was interviewed for the position by Mayor Mike Smith and City Administrator Peter Wills, who recommended him to council. Diener had applied for the position for another term.

Smith and Wills interviewed Diener for the position, as well as firefighter Mark Kuchenbecker. Smith and Wills also met with the Brillion Fire Department to discuss the traits they look for in a fire chief, but did not discuss specific candidates.

Diener has also served as the city's Emergency Services Director, a position which council noted will need to be addressed in the near future.

The original version of this story mistakenly stated that the term lasted through 2025. Wenzel's term will be five years, which is the length of the term according to existing City of Brillion code.