On June 4, 2025, Champaign Fire Chief Andy Quarnstrom announced his retirement from the City of Champaign effective July 14, 2025. Quarnstrom has proudly served at the Champaign Fire Department for nearly 28 years. He joined the department in 1997 and steadily advanced through the ranks, serving as Fire Chief since February 2024.
“It has been an honor to serve the residents of this wonderful community for the last 28 years,” said Chief Andy Quarnstrom. “I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to work alongside and lead the dedicated professionals who put their lives on the line in service to our community. I want to thank the City Council, the City Manager, City staff, the men and women of the Champaign Fire Department, and my family for their unwavering support. While this concludes my long career with the City of Champaign, I want to assure our residents that the Fire Department is well-trained and equipped to continue providing the same high level of protective services they have come to expect.”
City Manager Joan Walls said, “Andy has dedicated his entire career to serving Champaign’s residents. He is a well-respected leader in the fire services field, and his vast knowledge, experience, and leadership skills will be missed. In addition to being a dedicated public servant, Andy’s commitment to volunteerism and support of countless community organizations shows his true love for our community. His caring and compassion have positively impacted the lives of Champaign’s residents, and I wish him the very best as he closes this chapter in his life and starts a new one.”
- Reflecting back, Chief Quarnstrom said he is particularly proud of these accomplishments:
- Being the first Champaign Firefighter to advance to the rank of Fire Chief in nearly 50 years.
- Managing the Fire Department’s COVID-19 response team.
- Overseeing the remodeling of all of Champaign’s Fire Stations to ensure accommodations are private and up-to-date.
- Serving on the apparatus committee that designed and specified Ladder 164, which is currently in service at Fire Station 4.
- Leading the Department’s efforts to secure life-saving Lucas automated chest compression systems.
- Providing leadership for the implementation of the Champaign Fire Department’s first internal fire academy in 2025.
- Expanding collaboration with and strengthening relationships with both the Champaign Police Department and current and former Champaign Firefighters.
The recruitment to hire a new Fire Chief will begin later this summer.