Manhattan Fire Trustees Extend Chief Contracts Through 2029

Chief Steve Malone
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | Dec. 15, 2025
Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees voted to extend the contracts of both the Fire Chief and Deputy Chief for an additional year, securing leadership through early 2029.
Leadership Contracts Key Points:
-
Chief Steve Malone and Deputy Chief Dave Piper both received contract extensions until Jan. 1, 2029.
-
Both contracts include a 3% salary increase.
-
The Deputy Chief’s contract was updated to mirror the Chief’s regarding “115 trust contributions.”
The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees on Monday, Dec. 15, approved contract extensions for the district’s top two administrators, securing their leadership positions for the next four years.

Deputy Chief David Piper
The board voted unanimously to extend the contracts of Fire Chief Steve Malone and Deputy Chief Dave Piper. Both agreements were extended an additional year, now running through Jan. 1, 2029. Under the terms approved by the board, both Malone and Piper will receive a 3% salary increase.
During the discussion regarding Deputy Chief Piper’s contract, it was noted that a section of the agreement had been updated to mirror the Chief’s contract specifically to include “115 trust contributions.”
The motion to approve Chief Malone’s contract was made by Trustee Bill Weber and seconded by Trustee Brian Hupe. The motion for Deputy Chief Piper’s extension was made by Hupe and seconded by Trustee Nick Kotchou.
Latest News Stories
WATCH: Pritzker claims Trump plans election interference with troop deployment
Plaintiffs take Cook County gun ban challenge to SCOTUS
Illinois quick hits: $1.57B return on investments; solar-powered manufacturer cuts ribbon
Report: Illinois U.S. Rep faces minimal penalty after disclosure violations
18 were injured, 2 killed in Minneapolis shooting
Trump HHS tells states to remove gender ideology from sex ed or lose PREP funding
Americans could face ‘sticker shock’ as once-small tax exemption ends
‘Pro-taxpayer’ law requires operators to clean up abandoned Illinois oil wells
Watch: Cook County gun ban plaintiffs petition SCOTUS; Pritzker hasn’t heard from White House
Illinois quick hits: Man on pretrial release accused of murder; holiday weekend impaired driving patrols
Illinois quick hits: Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS; man sentenced for COVID fraud
WATCH: Trump: Illinois’ ‘slob of a governor’ should call for help with public safety