Passing the Torch
The Little Dixie Fire Protection District is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Hartman as the district’s new fire chief. This selection follows the January 2025 retirement announcement of Bill Albus.
After conducting an extensive search, leading candidates participated in a highly competitive process with the board of directors.
A 38-year veteran of the Missouri fire service, Hartman began his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Centertown Rural Fire Association (now Regional West Fire Protection District) in 1987. Hartman joined the Rosecrans Fire Department near St. Joseph as a firefighter in 1998, where he worked until accepting a firefighter position with the Columbia Fire Department in October 1999. In Columbia, Hartman moved up the ranks, achieving the rank of Captain, and serving in multiple positions including assistant fire marshal/investigator, training division captain, public information officer, CERT Team coordinator, and the emergency services division where he served until his retirement in October 2019. Hartman had a concurrent career in the United States Air Force Reserve, where he retired at the rank of master sergeant/deputy fire chief in August 2014.
In November 2019, Hartman accepted the position of program manager-firefighter I/II and hazardous materials certification with the Missouri Division of Fire Safety’s Training and Certification Unit. He served in this position until April 2020, when he accepted a promotional opportunity to statewide fire mutual aid coordinator, also with the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. In this position, Hartman managed readiness for Missouri’s robust fire mutual aid system, which included 814 fire departments spread across the state’s 114 counties. His primary role was to coordinate fire and rescue responses for major incidents across the state, which required resources from different regions to mitigate when the statewide plan was activated. Hartman staffed the fire and rescue desk at the State Emergency Operations Center during state emergencies. Hartman coordinated the mutual aid responses to both the destructive Wooldridge wildfire in October 2022 and the Glenallen tornado in April 2023.
Hartman is active in several local and regional fire organizations including the Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs, Fire Fighters’ Association of Missouri, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Missouri State Fair Fire Department.
“I am truly honored to be selected as the next fire chief of the Little Dixie Fire District; it is very humbling to be in the position of following two of my fire service mentors, Chief Albus and retired Chief Hoover, and be able to lead a great district with a rich history into its next chapter. I look forward to supporting our dedicated volunteers as they continue to provide a high level of service to the citizens and visitors of Audrain County,” said Hartman.
“The board of directors wants to thank Chief Albus for his many years of service and congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement. Chief Albus has been a true asset to the fire district and the community! The board also welcomes Chief Hartman to the Little Dixie Fire Protection District! The legacy of the district is in good hands!”
Hartman will begin his position on April 1, 2025, where he will oversee one full-time employee, 35 volunteers, and three fire stations across the district.
FFAM
