In a packed room at the Kenosha Civil War Museum on Kenosha’s Lakefront, the Kenosha Police and Fire Commission unanimously approved ten promotions, many of which are high-ranking members of the Kenosha Fire Department.
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Division Chief of Training Ryan McNeely to Probationary Battalion Chief
Division Chief Ryan McNeely has been a member of the Kenosha Fire Department for 17 years. Ryan holds an Associate Degree in Fire Science, a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science with a minor in Geography and Secondary Education, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Prior to becoming the Division Chief of Training and Safety, Ryan served as a CQI Coordinator for the department and was a founding board member for C.A.R.E – the department’s charitable organization. Ryan has received a Letter of Commendation, the Medal of Merit, and the Fire Chief’s Leadership Commendation while serving on the department. Ryan and his wife, Lora, reside in Kenosha and have two children, Megan and Connor. He and his family enjoy the outdoors and family vacations.
Capt. Norman Hoening to Probationary Battalion Chief
Captain/Paramedic Norman Hoening joined the City of Kenosha Fire Department on May 1, 1996. He has been a Paramedic for 26 years. Prior to being hired by the City of Kenosha, he spent three years working at Pleasant Prairie Fire Department. Norman has an Associate Degree in Fire Science, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, and is working on his Masters of Business Administration Degree. He has served in many capacities within the KFD. Norman has been involved as a CPR Instructor, Paramedic Preceptor, implementer and trainer of the Image Trend programming system, Zoll cardiac monitor trainer, and Basic Recruit Instructor. He has also served on the CQI Committee, Apparatus Committee, and Safety Committee, and outfitted and trained line personnel upon the arrivals of Trucks 4 and 7, Med 3 and Engine 3. Norman has certifications in Firefighter I, II, and III, Driver Operator Pump & Aerial, Blue Card Incident Management, Fire Officer I, Emergency Services Instructor I, Hazardous Materials Operator, Incident Safety Officer, ICS 300 and 400, and is Company Officer Leadership Academy certified. Norman has several letters of commendation and letters of appreciation for fire and rescue incidents. Norman and his wife, Ronda, reside in the City of Kenosha and have two sons in college, Jacob and Joshua. He and his family enjoy spending time in Door County, boating, and cycling. Norman runs and owns Better Homes and Gardens Power Realty and affiliate companies, and also teaches Fire Science at Gateway Technical College.
Lt. Scott Krueger to Probationary Division Chief of Training
Lieutenant Scott Krueger has been a member of the Kenosha Fire Department for 15 years. Prior to his career in the fire service, Scott served four years in the United States Navy from 1997-2001. While in the Navy, he was an Interior Communications Electrician assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. During his time aboard the USS Enterprise, he participated in Operation Desert Fox in December of 1998. Scott has a Master’s Degree of Business Administration with an emphasis in Public Administration, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership and an Associate Degree in Fire Science. Scott holds certifications in the following: Firefighter I & II, Driver Operator Pump & Aerial, Fire Officer I, Wisconsin Emergency Services Instructor I & II, Incident Safety Officer, and Blue Card Incident Command Management. He has received two letters of recognition and several letters of appreciation from the Department. Scott and his wife Michelle have three grown children — Ashley, Jacob, and Joshua. The family currently resides in Kenosha.
Lt. Kelly Fonk to Probationary Fire Captain
Lieutenant/Paramedic Kelly Fonk has been a member of the Kenosha Fire Department for over 20 years. Prior to working for the City of Kenosha, he was employed by the Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant Fire Departments from 1998 to 2001. Kelly started his career with KFD in 2001. He was promoted to Apparatus Operator in 2015 and Lieutenant in 2017. He has served as a Fire Instructor for department personnel and as a Paramedic Preceptor for Gateway students. Kelly is currently an executive board member of Kenosha Professional Firefighters Local 414, handling benefit administration. He has brought forward several health and wellness initiatives which deal directly with occupational risks associated with fire service. Kelly has an Associate Degree in Fire Science from Gateway Technical College and has multiple certifications, including Firefighter I and II, Driver Operator Pump and Aerial, Blue Card Incident Management, Company Officer Leadership Academy, Safety Officer, and multiple courses in Incident Command. He is currently working towards a CVMIC Emerging Leader Certification. Kelly has been recognized with a Unit Citation and several letters of appreciation over the course of his career.
He and his wife, Krista, reside in Kenosha with their daughter, Kassidy. When he is not at work, he enjoys spending time outdoors at his family farm. In accepting this promotion, Kelly wished to mention that he is very appreciative of the continued support that he’s received from his family, friends, and co-workers.
AO Dave Kovach to Probationary Fire Lieutenant
Apparatus Operator/Paramedic David Kovach has been a member of the Kenosha Fire department for 15 years. Dave has a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology from Winona State University, as well as a Certificate of Medical Technology from the University of Iowa. Before being hired by the City of Kenosha, Dave worked at various hospital laboratories from 1994 to 2006, volunteered with the Union Grove/Yorkville Fire Department from 1997 to 2006, and was a firefighter with the Sturtevant Fire Department from 2002 to 2006. Dave has served the department as a member of the EMS Continuous Quality Improvement committee for two years. He has also been a preceptor for paramedic students for many years.
David has certifications in Fire I and II, Driver Operator Pump and Aerial, Blue Card Incident Management and COLA. Dave was previously certified in Public Safety Drysuit Diving, Rapid Deployment Search and Rescue Diving, and Blackwater Search and Rescue Diving. David has received two Unit Citations.
Dave and his wife, Rita, live in Yorkville with their four children, Camden, Aryana, Aneesa, and Alayna. He enjoys golfing, being outdoors, starting (and occasionally finishing) projects around the house, and spending time with family.
AO Ricardo Lebron to Probationary Fire Lieutenant
AO Ricardo Lebron has proudly worked for the City of Kenosha for approximately 18 years. He has held positions with the Streets Department, the Museum, and the Waste Division prior to starting his career with the Kenosha Fire Department. In February, it will be 16 years that Ricardo has served as a Firefighter and Apparatus Operator with KFD.
He is a graduate of Gateway Technical College with an Associate Degree in Applied Fire Science. He has served the Department as a Field Training Officer for our Kenosha paramedics and has previously served on the Safety committee multiple times, both as a department and union official. He is currently a member of the Apparatus and Tool committee. In addition, Ricardo feels fortunate to serve as an executive board member for the Kenosha Professional Firefighters Local 414. He has been continuously elected by his peers to the union board for 11 years – five of which have been as their union president.
Ricardo currently hold certifications in: Firefighter I & II, Driver/Operator Pump and Aerial, Emergency Services Instructor I, Fire Officer I, Incident Safety Officer, and COLA. In 2009, the Kenosha Fire Department invested in him to go to paramedic school. He completed the course with high grades and made the Dean’s list with the College of Lake County. This year with be his 120i as a paramedic in the KFD paramedic program. He has been recognized with two Unit Citations and a Letter of Commendation from the Fire Chief’s office.
Ricardo and his wife, Katie, have been married for 14 years and have a 10-year-old daughter, Ava. He is a happy resident of Kenosha and grateful to be able to serve in the community that his family lives in.
FF Zachary Brokaw to Probationary Apparatus Operator
Firefighter Zachary Brokaw has been a member of the Kenosha Fire Department for 10 years. Zach has an Associate Degree in Fire Technology and Administration from Lake Superior College. While completing his fire education, he worked for a company that provided services to young adults with developmental disabilities. Zach has certifications in Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Driver Operator Pump and Aerial. He has also received a unit and department citation.
Zach and his wife, Kelli, live in Kenosha with their two girls, Charlotte and Callahan. He and his family enjoy going to Kingfish games in the summer and spending time with family and friends.
FF Chad Stoeber to Probationary Apparatus Operator
Firefighter/Paramedic Chad Stoeber has been a member of the Kenosha Fire Department for 10 years. From 2005 to 2007, Chad participated in the Pleasant Prairie Fire Department’s “Live-In” Program for college students. In 2008, he graduated Paramedic School and proceeded to worked full-time for Pleasant Prairie as a FireMedic for three years. He was hired by KFD on April 1,2011. Chad has attended courses at Gateway Technical College. He has served as an Executive Board Member for the Kenosha Professional Firefighters Local 414 for eight years and has also served the Department as a paramedic preceptor. Chad has certifications in Firefighter I & II, Driver Operator Pump and Aerial, Fire Officer I, Emergency Services Instructor, and Fire Inspector. He has received two Unit Citations.
Chad and his wife, Heather, who is also an Apparatus Operator for KFD, reside in Pleasant Prairie and have two children: Landon and Lucas. He and his family enjoy entertaining and traveling.
FF Garrett Boye to Probationary Apparatus Operator
Firefighter/Paramedic Garrett Boye has been a member of the Kenosha Fire Department for nine years. Prior to being hired by the City of Kenosha, he volunteered with the town of Buchannan Fire Department and has been serving as a medic in the Air Force, with two tours in Afghanistan, where he was awarded a meritorious service medal.
Garrett has an Associate Degree in Fire Science, Allied Health, and Para-medicine. In addition, he is one class away from earning a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Fire and Emergency Response Management from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Garrett has certifications in Firefighter I & II, Driver Operator Pump and Aerial, Blue Card Incident, and Fire Officer I. He has been awarded a Unit Citation.
FF Kyle Hoff Probationary Apparatus Operator
Firefighter/Paramedic Kyle Hoff has been a member of the Kenosha Fire Department for nine years. Kyle has received his education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Lakeshore Technical College and Gateway Technical College. Prior to being hired by the City of Kenosha, he worked for LJH Ambulance. Kyle has certifications in Firefighter I and II, Driver Operator Pump and Aerial and has been a licensed Paramedic since 2012. Kyle has received two Unit Citations and has several letters of commendation from the Fire Chief’s office.
Kyle and his wife, Katy, reside in Kenosha and have a wonderful child named Ace. Kyle enjoys spending time with his family. They enjoy golfing, hunting, pool parties and anything Disney.
