Chicago Height’s Swears in New Fire Chief

The City of Chicago Heights New Fire Chief Jeffrey Springer is committed to fire prevention and safety of all Chicago Heights residents. Photo courtesy of the City of Chicago Heights
The City of Chicago Heights New Fire Chief Jeffrey Springer is committed to fire prevention and safety of all Chicago Heights residents. Photo courtesy of the City of Chicago Heights

Chicago Height’s Swears in New Fire Chief

By Monique Smith

National polling Company Rueters-Ipsos conducted a recent survey that asked 7,727 adults about their employment status and their intentions with regard to retirement. Among those who identified themselves as retired, 30 percent said that they would re-join the workforce if a job they like became available.

Most people work all their lives hoping to be able to retire and live a life of leisure. Days filled with golf, travel, afternoon lunch dates with other retired friends and the list goes on, but then there is that other kind of retiree. You know who they are; retired for just a week or so and already bored out of their minds looking to go back to work. When seasoned professionals re-enter the workforce, it is often a benefit to their employers because of the experience they bring.

This can be said of Chicago Height’s new fire chief Jeffrey Springer. Springer, who was sworn into office two months ago, was a Fire Chief with the Chicago Fire Department where he worked for 35 years before retiring in November 30, 2014.

“I was retired for a few months and it was great. Then I guess after serving so many years, I was used to being a part of something; meetings, long hours, weekends, office duties, firefighting duties, responding to incidents all hours of the day and night, I suddenly had a void in my life,” said Springer.

Springer interviewed for the position in April and was sworn in just a month later at the City Council meeting. It has taken no time for him to get into the full swing of things.

“As Chief of the Department my work load is pretty heavy. I am in the process of hiring an Assistant Chief from within the ranks of the Chicago Heights Fire Department. When that happens, hopefully it will lighten my work load a little bit, but it will never take away from my responsibilities as Fire Chief.”

Springer talks excitedly about his position and comrades in the department and remarks about what he loves most about his job, “My firefighters! These firefighters are great. I love these guys!”

Springer says the department is just like in Chicago only on a smaller scale. When it comes to saving lives, fire prevention and protection-- Springer offers this advice; “Smoke detectors saves lives! If you live in Chicago Heights and you don’t have a smoke detector you can go to any Fire Station and get one for free. If you are a senior citizen or have a disability, you can call my office at Station #3, and I will not only bring you a smoke detector, but I will install it.”

The Chicago Heights Fire Department has been providing its citizens with Fire and Emergency services for more than 100 years. In addition to Fire protection, the department also administers the City’s Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management Agency. The Department operates 5 engine Companies, 2 Truck Companies, 1 Rescue/Haz Mat Company and 5 Ambulances out of 5 stations.

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