After 24 years with the department, Watseka Fire Chief Tim Ketchum is stepping down. Ketchum told the Watseka City Council public safety committee meeting April 13 that he will be stepping down as of June 30. âI have decided it is time for me to retire from the fire department,â he said. âIâm very proud of what Iâve accomplished there. Danny Adams brought me on many years ago. I wanted to help my community. I feel like Iâve accomplished that. Iâve helped the fire department grow even further after what Chief (Dave) Mayotte did for the department.â He said once a new chief is appointment âIâm not going to turn my back and just walk away,â he said. âIâve told all my officers that whoever gets the position or other officer duties they have, if they have questions they are more than welcome to call me. Iâll talk them through things, show them where things are, whatever I can do to help make that transition as easy as possible.â