Troy Fire Chief Roberts Retiring, Riesterer Promoted
(TFD, Jan. 13, 2021)
Troy, MI – Troy City Manager Mark Miller announced that Assistant Fire Chief Richard “Chuck” Riesterer has been chosen as Troy’s new Fire Chief upon the retirement of current Fire Chief Dave Roberts who is set to retire on February 5 after 42 years of service to the Troy community.
“Assistant Chief Chuck Riesterer has served the City of Troy for many years as volunteer Firefighter and Career Fire Staff with professional backgrounds in fire prevention,” City Manager Mark Miller said. “His service and commitment to our community has been exemplary and he will continue to carry on Troy’s tradition of excellence.”
Assistant Chief Chuck Riesterer started his career in Troy as a Fire Education Specialist with the Fire Department in the spring of 1989. Prior to joining Troy’s Fire Department he worked with the Roseville and Livonia Fire Departments. He has been assigned to Operations, Training and Fire Prevention. During his 10 years in Training, Asst. Chief Riesterer coordinated and provided training for all new members, and supported training in the fire stations. In 1999, he was transferred into the Fire Prevention Section where he conducted Fire & Life Safety Inspection in all occupancy types.
“Serving as Fire Chief is not an easy task,” Fire Chief Dave Roberts said. “The success I have had, and the Chiefs before me, has been with the cooperation and support from both the administrative staff and the volunteer members. The success of the Troy Fire Department for the last 80 years, in fact, has come from working together as a team to serve this community.”
Asst. Chief Riesterer also became a volunteer Firefighter with the City of Troy after being hired and has held positions of Firefighter, Lieutenant and Station Assistant Chief at Station 3.  In 2005, he began Hazardous Materials compliance inspections for businesses, to comply with MI-OSHA requirements. While working in this section, Asst. Chief Riesterer assumed the responsibilities of developing and implementing an electronic hazardous material reporting format. In 2015 he was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshal.
Asst. Chief Riesterer is a graduate of the National Fire Academy with certifications in Education and Fire Protection Systems. He has a Certificate in Fire Fighting Technology from Oakland Community College; is a certified Fire Fighter I/II; a certified Hazardous Materials Responder – Awareness & Operations Level; a certified Fire Officer I, II, & III; and a certified Fire Fighter Instructor from the State of Michigan.
“Chuck has a long history with the City of Troy Fire Department and has worked with many of our beloved former fire chiefs, learning from the best,” Troy Mayor Ethan Baker said.  “I know Chuck recognizes the importance of maintaining a great atmosphere for, and relationship with, the dedicated men and women who serve as our volunteer firefighters and will depend on our six station captains and Assistant Fire Chiefs to lead the department well. On behalf of the Troy City Council, we congratulate Chuck and look forward to working with him to keep the Troy Fire Department the jewel that is.”
Learn more about the Troy Fire Dept at https://troymi.gov/departments/fire_department/index.php