The City of West Plains announced Tuesday afternoon Chris Sterner has been named the city's new fire chief, following the recent retirement of Kurt Wilbanks and Sterner's service since May as interim fire chief.
Sterner is a West Plains native and six-year veteran of the department. Since he was appointed interim fire chief, the department has seen record attendance numbers in off-duty trainings and call responses, city officials said, adding that Sterner has worked diligently to strengthen relations between the department and the West Plains community.
City Administrator Sam Anselm said Sterner brings a level of experience and compassion that makes him a perfect fit for the position.
“In addition to being an outstanding leader who has already earned the respect of his crew members, Chris brings an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the West Plains community,” Anselm added. “We are confident that Chris will carry on the tradition of excellence for the West Plains Fire Department.”
Sterner’s 29-year public safety career began as a junior firefighter for the Howell County Rural Protection District in 1995, where he eventually attained the rank of assistant fire chief, city officials noted. From 1998 to 2016 he also worked for Howell County 911, where he dispatched 13 fire departments, two ambulance services and two police departments.
In 2002, he became a reserve police officer for the West Plains Police Department before joining the fire department as an engineer in 2017. He then earned promotions to lieutenant and assistant fire chief.
Among his accomplishments include three Howell County Firefighter of the Year awards, two Howell County Fire Officer of the Year awards, six Meritorious Act awards from the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri, and three Life Saving Awards from the Fire Fighters Association and Missouri Division of Fire Safety. He recently was selected as the Chief Officer of the Year from the Fire Fighters Association.
