Rhinelander fire chief resigns

As the new year begins, the City of Rhinelander has two major vacancies to fill. One month after Rhinelander Police Chief Lloyd Gauthier announced his retirement, the other half of the city’s public safety leadership team, Fire Chief Brian Tonnancour, tendered his resignation in order to take a job with the Chippewa Falls Fire Department.
Tonnancour announced his decision in a letter dated Dec. 22. His last day will be Jan. 16.
Gauthier announced his retirement in a Nov. 22 letter to city officials. His last day is Jan. 9.
In a statement to the Star Journal, Tonnancour said his departure is not related to Gauthier’s retirement announcement.
“My resignation has no nexus to Lloyd’s retirement,” he said. “The timing is obviously unfortunate and unfavorable for the city, but that is just the way that the hiring process for Chippewa Falls worked out. The decision is solely personal for what is best for me and my family.”

“It has been an absolute honor and a privilege to be the Fire Chief for the City of Rhinelander for the past 4 years,” he added. “I appreciate all of the partnerships, community support, and friendships that I gained along the way. Rhinelander Fire has a group of consummate professionals who are steadfast in their dedication to the health and safety of Rhinelander and the surrounding communities. In the very near future the city will need to make some very tough decisions due to budgetary concerns. The community will need to continue to show its support of Public Safety to be able to keep these services at the level that they have come to expect and deserve. I would like to wish them luck in these upcoming discussions and hope for the best possible outcome.”
Tonnancour has served as fire chief since November 2021. He was hired following the retirement of former chief Terry Williams.
“The Police and Fire Commission will be leading the search for a new fire chief, as they determine necessary,” city administrator Patrick Reagan told the Star Journal in response to a question about the recruitment process.
Meanwhile, interviews for the police chief position are scheduled to take place during the police and fire commission’s Jan. 9 meeting, according to commission chairman Todd McEldowney.