Elgin has turned to one of its own to head the fire department.
Capt. John Fahy, a 23-year veteran, will replace Jack Henrici, who retired last month. Fahy will assume his new role Jan. 3.
“I’m excited, I’m humbled and a little bit nervous, but I’m up to the challenge,” Fahy said.
Fahy, 49, holds a bachelor’s degree in fire science management from Southern Illinois University and two associate degrees from Elgin Community College. He has been president of the Elgin Association of Firefighters Local 439 for the past five years, served as lead instructor in the Elgin Regional Fire Academy, and is federally certified in incident command and management systems.
Fahy also has earned several awards, including the Life Saving Award, Distinguished Service Award and a Unit Accommodation Award. In 2001, he developed Elgin’s “After the Fire” program to help residents recovering from a fire.
“At the end of the day, John’s a leader,” City Manager Sean Stegall said. “John understands the needs of the fire department and the needs of the city and everything he’s been associated with – the fire union, the county, his role as a firefighter, his role as a lieutenant, his role as a captain — he’s been successful. I think he has won the respect of a lot of different people from a lot of different walks of life.”
Fahy said he will follow the former chief’s example of putting residents’ needs first. To improve emergency medical services, which make up about 85 percent of calls, he would like to equip fire engines with paramedic equipment and staff them with at least one paramedic.
He believes his time as union president has allowed him to develop good relationships with the city’s firefighters. As chief, he will oversee 136 employees.
“I think they have respect for me, I have respect for them,” he said. “I realize they’re our greatest assets.”
Fahy’s resume also includes political experience. He has served on the Kane County Board where he was vice chairman of the finance committee and also has chaired the finance committee for the Kane County Forest Preserve.
“I think my four years in government gave me what I call a panoramic view of how government works and how each entity in government has to work with the others,” Fahy said. “Our citizens expect government to work as a whole.”
Fahy’s salary as chief will be the same as that of Henrici — $150,687.
Stegall said the city still plans to study the possibility of combining some administrative services of the police and fire departments in hopes of running more efficiently. A task force made up of members of both departments will begin meeting later this month.
