News Details

March 24, 2025

Oshkosh Fire Chief finalists selected “Meet and Greet” planned for Monday, March 31, 2025

The Oshkosh Police and Fire Commission have selected five finalists to interview for its Fire Chief vacancy. After a nationwide search, they selected the following five candidates as finalists (listed alphabetically):

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, 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, currently Assistant Fire 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, 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, 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.

The Commission has planned a “meet and greet” for Monday, March 31st, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Oshkosh Convention Center. The “meet and greet” is designed to be an open house and will be an opportunity for the candidates to meet and interact with Oshkosh residents.

An extensive interview process has also been scheduled for April 1st. In addition to interviews they
will conduct, the Commission plans to hear from three additional panels of interviewers representing diverse and pertinent backgrounds. Those panels will include a Community Panel, a Technical/Peer Panel, and an Employee Panel.

It is the Commission’s goal to secure a candidate that will be able to begin their assignment in the May or June, 2025, timeframe. If you have additional questions regarding the recruitment, please contact Assistant City Manager/Director of Administrative Services John Fitzpatrick at (920) 236-5110.

The city of Oshkosh is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.