Traverse City Fire Chief Tuller Announces Retirement in 2026
Tuller will have served the City of Traverse City for 36 years
Traverse City – With deep gratitude, the City of Traverse City announces the upcoming retirement of Fire Chief Jim Tuller in 2026.
Tuller joined the Traverse City Fire Department (TCFD) as a firefighter in April 1990, rising to Fire Lieutenant in 2002, then becoming Fire Inspector in 2003, and finally assuming the role of Fire Chief in June 2008.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve for our community and serve with all of the TCFD personnel, City staff, and area first response agency partners in the many capacities I have been able to in my career,” stated Fire Chief Tuller.
Under Chief Tuller’s leadership, public safety has remained the department’s highest priority. He placed strong emphasis on maintaining an extensively-trained and highly-skilled staff, ensuring that the City’s firefighters are not only certified in fire suppression but also as Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics. By raising training standards and expanding the department’s emergency medical capabilities, Chief Tuller helped build a team prepared to respond to any situation with professionalism, expertise, and care.
Traverse City Mayor Amy Shamroe said, “I have had the privilege of knowing Chief Tuller my entire life and the honor of working alongside him for the past ten years while serving on the City Commission and as Mayor. His dedication to transforming the Fire Department into a modern, 21st-century operation — from ISO improvements to establishing primary EMS transport — has been remarkable. Chief Tuller’s leadership extends well beyond the City, leaving a lasting impact across the region. We are deeply grateful for his decades of service to the City and wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement next spring.”
Most recently, Chief Tuller was instrumental in leading the initiative to transition the Traverse City Fire Department to providing its own Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport services, ensuring faster and more reliable emergency response for residents. Following a comprehensive feasibility study and strong voter support for a dedicated 1 mill tax levy in November 2023, the department began preparing to bring ambulance transport fully in-house. Under Chief Tuller’s guidance, the City has been phasing in new staff, equipment, and ambulances, with full implementation planned for July 2026, a milestone that will mark a major advancement in local
public safety and emergency medical service delivery.
“It has been an honor to serve alongside Chief Tuller for the past 21 years. His vast knowledge of the fire service and incident command system is invaluable to the Traverse City Police Department, City Leadership and community. I wish him nothing but the best as he moves forward with the next chapter in his life,” stated Traverse City Police Chief.
Chief Tuller’s commitment to the community has been steadfast throughout his career. Under his leadership, the department has maintained an active focus on fire prevention and public education, engaging residents of all ages through school visits, safety demonstrations, and community outreach events. Beyond his role in the Fire Department, Chief Tuller also served on the City Planning Commission as the Administrative Official, an appointment by the City Manager, from 2015 to 2024.
Interim City Manager Benjamin Marentette said, "Chief Tuller's announcement that he is going to retire as Fire Chief in April is a bittersweet moment for all of us. Chief Tuller is a true, kind gentleman and has served honorably with the City of Traverse City for what will be 36 years this April. Chief Tuller has supported and championed professional development for the Traverse City Fire Department, which has some of the best trained fire service professionals in the state, which has saved many precious lives and also has saved property. I am grateful for Chief Tuller's heart for service and for him providing us with substantial advance notice as we work on
finding the next Fire Chief for Traverse City. Chief, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. We wish you a long, healthy retirement. You've earned it."
Chief Tuller will celebrate 36 years of dedicated service to the City on April 15, 2026, 46 collective years in fire service, and will officially retire on April 24, 2026. The City will begin the process of selecting the next Fire Chief in the coming months.