Traverse City Fire Department Chief Jim Tuller has announced his upcoming retirement effective April 24, 2026. The city will begin the process of selecting a new fire chief in the coming months.

Tuller will celebrate 36 years of city service in April and 46 years in firefighting. He joined TCFD as a firefighter in 1990, rising to fire lieutenant in 2002, then fire inspector in 2003, and finally fire chief in 2008. He recently helped lead an initiative to make TCFD the city’s primary ambulance provider, a move supported by voters in 2023. The city has been phasing in new staff, equipment, and ambulances, with full implementation planned for July 2026.

"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," Tuller said in a statement.

Mayor Amy Shamroe said 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.” TC Police Department Chief Matt Richmond said Tuller's "vast knowledge of the fire service and incident command system" has been invaluable, while Interim City Manager Benjamin Marentette said Tuller's championing of professional development for staff has resulted in "some of the best trained fire service professionals in the state, which has saved many precious lives and also has saved property."

Beyond his role at TCFD, Tuller also served as an appointee on the city planning commission from 2015 to 2024.