Coty picked as new fire chief
It didn’t take long for the St. Louis Area Fire Department to find a successor for Chief Rich Apps, who announced his retirement earlier this month.
The fire district board has selected Lt. Bill Coty, an 18-year veteran of the department, to take over the helm.
“I’m very appreciative and humbled to get this opportunity,” Coty said.
He was promoted to second lieutenant in 2007 and to his current post in 2013.
In addition, Coty has served as the department’s training officer since 2006, the same year he took
over the training program for the Gratiot County Fire Chief’s Association.
He noted that “timing” was key in being able to accept his new duties.
“Not everyone has the time to commit to the job,” Coty said. “Chief is not your typical fire service role. A certain amount of time is required.”
His full-time career as a real estate investor helped.
“That gives me a lot of flexibility and time to serve the community.” Coty said.
He has been doing that for years. In 2014 he was the recipient of the Spirit of St. Louis Award, which is given annually to honor the city’s top citizen for their volunteer efforts.
Coty, a 1994 Breckenridge High School graduate, has lived in the city since marrying his “high school sweetheart” Teri, “a St. Louis girl,” 24 years ago.
The couple has two sons.
Becoming chief doesn’t really change the way Coty thinks of the job he’s been doing for nearly two decades..
“I just have the desire to serve the community any way I can,” he said. “Every one of the firefighters fall into that role. It doesn’t matter what (rank) they hold. We all do what we can for our community.”
Coty praised Apps for the work he has done during his 21-year tenure as chief.
“He’s done a great job,” Coty said. “We have a new fire station with state of the art (fire) engines and equipment and no debt.
“I have big shoes to fill.” Coty hasn’t thought about any changes he might like to make.
However, he noted that being an all volunteer department it can sometimes be difficult to find new firefighters.
“I want to work on our recruiting and staffing,” Coty added.
The fire district covers a total of 83 square miles in the city of St. Louis and Pine River, Bethany and Jasper townships. The department has a total of 25 firefighters and first responders.
Last year it responded to a total of 369 calls, which included 76 fires and 293 rescues.
Coty, 44, will begin his new duties as chief on Oct. 21. Apps, who has been with the department for 39 years, will remain until Dec. 31 to assist with the transition.