PEORIA HEIGHTS ( 25News Now ) - The Village of Peoria Heights has named a new interim fire chief.

Austin Szentes, 34, is not a stranger to the village after joining on a part-time basis in 2024 before becoming deputy chief.

Peoria Heights said Szentes has 17 years of firefighting experience - from volunteer, part-time, to full-time, including work with the Limestone Fire Protection District and the East Peoria Fire Department.

Szentes has completed classroom work at Illinois Central College and the Illinois Fire Service Institute at the University of Illinois.

Szentes becomes interim chief after Tony Ardis, who in turn replaced Dan Decker - both recommending him to be interim chief, something that Peoria Heights Mayor Matt Wigginton “spoke volumes” about his readiness to lead.

Szent

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