Rebecca Tyo named new chief of the Rockford Fire Department

October 14, 2025|By Kevin Haas|In Rock River Current, News, 815 News, Local, Rockford, Top Stories, Featured

Rebecca Tyo listens during a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, after she was named the next chief of the Rockford Fire Department. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Rebecca Tyo, a Rockford native and 16-year veteran of the Rockford Fire Department, has been named the city’s new fire chief.

Tyo succeeds Michele Pankow to become the 12th chief in the department’s history. Pankow retired in July to become the Illinois State Fire marshal.

“Rockford is my home, and I’m humbled and honored to serve our community and our personnel in this new role,” Tyo said at a news conference Tuesday announcing her selection. “I’m excited about the future, and I’ll work hard each and every day to serve the citizens of Rockford and the men and women of Rockford Fire.”

Tyo, 44, started with the department in May 2009 and rose through the ranks as a firefighter/paramedic, lieutenant, fire training coordinator and captain.

“At each one of those roles you have shown that you are an amazing leader, you are someone who is compassionate, you are someone who is passionate and someone who works incredibly hard,” Mayor Tom McNamara told Tyo at the news conference. “You’re a born leader. You will excel in this position.”

She was unanimously selected for the role Tuesday by the three-member Board of Fire & Police Commissioners. She was one of five finalists, including three other in-house candidates. There were 14 total candidates reviewed as part of a national search led by IO Solutions, a consulting firm for public safety agencies that has guided previous fire and police chief selections.

Rockford Fire Chief Rebecca Tyo listens Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, to Mayor Tom McNamara during a news conference announcing her selection as the next chief at the Rockford Fire Department on First Avenue. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

“Captain Rebecca Tyo clearly demonstrated that she is the right leader to guide the department forward with vision, integrity and purpose,” said Rudy Valdez, chairman of the Fire & Police Commission. “Today’s announcement reflects what makes Rockford special: The fire department that develops its own leaders, honors its traditions and keeps moving forward.”

Tyo has also served as accreditation manager, co-coordinator of the Great Lakes Fire Consortium and peer assessor for the Center for Public Safety Excellence. She also chaired the peer support team for six years, “expanding mental health and wellness programs that have become a model for our departments,” Valdez said.

Tyo is a 1999 graduate of Christian Life High School who went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in kinesiology at Western Illinois University, where she also played basketball. She lives in Rockford with her wife of six years, Kelley Weidner.

Rebecca Tyo and her wife, Kelley Weidner, react Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, to congratulations after Tyo was named the next chief of the Rockford Fire Department. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Division Chief Brian Carlson, a 27-year veteran of the department, had led Rockford Fire as interim chief since July 9.

“He led steady, focused and with dedication, ensuring the department continued to serve the community without interruption,” Valdez said in thanking Carlson.

Tyo gave credit to former chiefs Pankow and Derek Bergstrom for their mentorship in preparing her for a leadership role.

“I really do feel like this is going to be a natural step to kind of pick up the baton. We’ve got some great things and great initiatives going right now, so for me I’m just excited to pick that up and keep it running,” Tyo said. “We also have to grow internally, too, and we have to start looking at becoming more innovative and progressive and kind of re-imagining the fire service so we really support our community well.”