Chad began his fire service career in 1996 with the Stillman Fire Protection District in Stillman, Illinois. When Chad began his career, the Stillman department was 100% volunteer – but it soon grew to a combination department with a full-time Chief. Hoefle progressed through the ranks and served first as a Lieutenant and then as a Captain, all while serving as a Paramedic Educator in Rockford. He was the first to occupy a full-time role as Deputy Chief & Training Officer within the district and was appointed Fire Chief in 2009.
Chief Hoefle has proudly served with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, serving as an escort for the families of fallen firefighters at Memorial weekend, acting as a “Big Buddy” at the organization’s Comfort Zone camp for children who have lost a parent in the line of duty, and attending classes and summits across the United States on behalf of the foundation. He has traveled extensively as a requested speaker at fire service summits across the country and has authored numerous reports on Fire Engineering. He regularly attends classes at the National Fire Academy as well as locally in order to stay up-to-date and benefit both his department and all those who request his assistance as an educator. Chief Hoefle also serves on several state and local executive boards including a seat as 2nd VP for the Illinois Fire Chief’s Association Executive Board.
He remains an active member of his Stillman, Illinois community, and continues to reside there with his wife, Micki, and their four children.