Fire chief Mike Romas is retiring after five years with the Sheboygan Fire Department and a 30-year career with the Milwaukee Fire Department. Before becoming a firefighter in 1984, Romas went to UW-La Crosse for physical education and health. In his class of 33 at the fire academy, Romas was among 11 who graduated. "The ones that stayed, we wouldn't quit," he said. Romas said he started as a firefighter, then became an EMT. He worked his way through several roles, including heavy equipment operator, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, deputy chief and eventually assistant chief in Milwaukee. He also taught firefighting at Waukesha Technical College for 22 years throughout his career in Milwaukee.
After 30 years working his way through the Milwaukee Fire Department, Romas wanted to be fire chief.