While Ben Steketee just celebrated 20 years as Hillsboro Fire Chief on Sunday, he didn’t ever think he would get to fight fires, let alone be chief. “I grew up in California where only the most fit and the best of the best were chosen for positions in fire departments. And I got into some trouble when I was growing up so I never thought I would be in a top position,” said Steketee. But then Steketee moved to Kansas. “I moved to Hillsboro and my friend Dale Winter asked me if I would want to volunteer for the fire department. I thought it sounded like fun,” said Steketee. Steketee volunteered for almost three years when the mayor of Hillsboro, Delores Dalke, approached him about becoming the Fire Chief. He accepted, shadowed then chief Wayne Lowery for a day to see what he did and suddenly he was in charge.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press
