The Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Department is mourning the loss of former Fire Chief Chris Hecht, who passed away on Monday.
Hecht dedicated 33 years of service to the department, including 24 years as fire chief, retiring this past September. In a statement, the department described Hecht as a steady and compassionate leader who supported not only every member of the department, but the broader Northern Door community as well.
Hecht started his career in the late 1980s as an EMT with Door County Emergency Medical Services before joining the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Department in 1992. He was named fire chief in 2001 and went on to leave a lasting mark on emergency services throughout Door County. Among his many accomplishments were helping establish a countywide CPR program and assisting in the formation of a county response team through the Door County Fire Chiefs Association.
In recent years, Hecht also served nationally as a Fire Apparatus Subject Matter Expert for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. Chief Hecht played a key role in creating the Door County Fire Chiefs Association, which initially focused on helping residents with daily needs before shifting toward fire safety and health education.
Hecht retired after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm while attending a fire conference in Indianapolis last summer. The community rallied around his family during his recovery, raising tens of thousands of dollars in support.
Funeral arrangements have been announced, with visitation scheduled for Thursday, January 29, from 3 to 7 p.m., and Friday, January 30, from 9 to 10:45 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. The department says additional details will be shared for those wishing to attend and pay their respects.
