Fire Chief Scott Swanson has announced his retirement from the St. Charles Fire Department, effective Oct. 25, 2024. Swanson has served as Fire Chief since 2020. Deputy Fire Chief Jeremy Mauthe has been appointed Fire Chief, effective Oct. 26, 2024.
Swanson joined the St. Charles Fire Department full-time in 1988. He was promoted to Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, and Assistant Fire Chief, prior to being appointed Chief. Swanson also previously served as Acting Fire Chief in 2007, during the transition between previous fire chiefs.
Under his leadership, the department successfully extinguished the largest fire in
St. Charles history when former Pheasant Run resort buildings were set ablaze. He also updated the department’s Strategic Plan, maintained Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 1 Rating, and earned reaccreditation by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc.
“Scott has provided exemplary service to the City of St. Charles for many years,” said Mayor Lora Vitek. “We thank him for his dedication and leadership to the St. Charles Fire Department, and his commitment to serving his community for nearly four decades.”
Swanson will be recognized by City Council following the Oct. 7, 2024, meeting in Council Chambers, 2 E. Main Street. A farewell reception will be held Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. in Fire Station #1, 112 N. Riverside Ave. All are welcome.
Jeremy Mauthe has been appointed Chief of the St. Charles Fire Department. Mauthe began his fire service career in 2002 with the Batavia Fire Department and came to the
St. Charles Fire Department in 2004. Jeremy has served the St. Charles community for the past 20 years, working his way through the department ranks. Before becoming a firefighter, Mauthe held a staff position at Aurora University, Aurora, Ill., was a part-time police officer, and served in the U.S. military. Mauthe volunteered for many years as a youth football coach and currently is an adjunct faculty member for Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Ill.
Mauthe holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology & Criminal Justice from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., and is pursuing a Master of Public Administration from Columbia Southern University.
“Jeremy Mauthe has shown he has the skills and abilities to serve St. Charles as Fire Chief and to effectively lead the St. Chares Fire Department now and into the future,” said City Administrator Heather McGuire. “I am confident he will uphold the tradition of providing the quality fire and emergency medical services the St. Charles community has come to rely on.”
As Fire Chief, Mauthe also will oversee the Tri-City Ambulance Service, representSt. Charles on the Tri-Com 911 Board of Directors, and work collaboratively with neighboring fire departments and other emergency services agencies.
Jeremy and his wife Melissa, a licensed clinical social worker in St. Charles, have two children, Jenna and Josh.
