Leadership & Staff

A lifetime of fire service, public safety and community leadership.

Chief Westhoff brings a lifetime of dedication to the fire service and a deep connection to Boone County. A fourth-generation fire chief, he grew up immersed in the profession. His father, Bill Westhoff, served as the first Fire Chief of the Boone County Fire Protection District and as Director of the University of Missouri Fire & Rescue Training Institute. That early influence helped inspire a lifelong commitment to public safety and service to the community.

Chief Westhoff began his career in emergency services as a Joint Communications Operator from 1980 to 1983. At just 16 years old, he started volunteering with the Boone County Fire Protection District, rising through the ranks as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, and Captain at Station 1. He also served the community for nearly two decades as a Paramedic with Boone Hospital Ambulance Service (1983–2000), including 10 years as the Ambulance Service Manager from 1990 to 2000.

In 2000, Chief Westhoff joined the Boone County Fire Protection District full-time. Throughout his career he has served in numerous leadership roles including Division Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and Deputy Chief of Operations. His leadership responsibilities have included overseeing Training, Special Operations and serving as the Program Manager for Missouri Task Force 1, one of FEMA’s 28 Urban Search and Rescue teams. Chief Westhoff has been one of the most deployed members of Missouri Task Force 1, responding to nearly 40 national and state disasters. Among his most notable deployments were the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, where he served as a Task Force Leader at Ground Zero in New York City, and the response to Hurricane Katrina following the storm that devastated Louisiana. He also serves as an Operations Section Chief on the FEMA Incident Support Team and has represented Missouri Task Force 1 in nearly 500 public presentations.

His leadership philosophy has been shaped by decades of service and mentorship, including teaching leadership alongside his father. Chief Westhoff is highly trained in FEMA’s Incident Command System, with experience across all major command functions including incident command, operations, logistics, planning, and finance. He has also participated in professional development through organizations and institutions such as FFAM, the National Fire Academy, MUFRTI, All-Hazards Management programs, and numerous fire service leadership schools.

As Fire Chief, Westhoff emphasizes leadership grounded in people, service, and authenticity. He describes his leadership style as inclusive during routine operations and steady during challenging times, guided by his father’s belief that it is the organization’s responsibility to help every member find their place to serve.

Looking ahead, Chief Westhoff's priorities include maintaining forward progress for the district, adapting to the changing dynamics of the fire service, and always focusing on the people who make up the organization. He recognizes challenges facing the fire service, including evolving risks, cancer prevention efforts, shifts in volunteerism, and the impacts of community growth and annexation.

For Chief Westhoff, serving Boone County is deeply personal. He describes the mission simply: to be an active participant in improving the lives of our friends and neighbors.

He believes a strong fire department culture is built on family, dedication, and servant leadership, and he is committed to strengthening relationships within the department and the community through open, honest, face-to-face communication.

Outside of work, Chief Westhoff enjoys spending time with family and friends and being outdoors.

As he steps into this new role, his message to the department and community is clear:
“Be passionate about your commitment, engage enthusiastically, commit to lifelong learning, and maintain a strong community service mindset.”