Chris Sterner appointed new WPFD chief

The City of West Plains announced Tuesday afternoon that Chris Sterner has been named the city’s new fire chief, following Kurt Wilbanks’ recent retirement and Sterner serving as interim fire chief since May.

Sterner is a West Plains native and has worked for the department for six years. Since being named interim fire chief, the department has seen record attendance at off-duty training and emergency calls, city officials said, adding that Sterner has worked diligently to strengthen relationships between the department and the West Plains community.

City Manager Sam Anselm said Sterner brings a level of experience and compassion that makes him perfect for the position.

“Not only is Chris an outstanding leader who has already earned the respect of his crew members, but he is also tirelessly committed to the safety and well-being of the West Plains community,” added Anselm. “We are confident that Chris will continue the West Plains Fire Department’s tradition of excellence.”

Sterner’s 29-year career in public service began in 1995 as a firefighter in the Howell County Rural Protection District, where he eventually rose to the rank of assistant fire chief, city officials said. From 1998 to 2016, he also worked for Howell County 911, where he dispatched 13 fire departments, two EMS departments and two police departments.

In 2002, he became a reserve police officer with the West Plains Police Department before joining the fire department as an engineer in 2017. He was subsequently promoted to lieutenant and assistant fire chief.

His accomplishments include three Howell County Firefighter of the Year awards, two Howell County Fire Officer of the Year awards, six Missouri Firefighters Association Meritorious Action Awards, and three Life Saving Awards from the Firefighters Association and the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. He was recently selected as the Firefighters Association Chief Officer of the Year.