Western Springs Assistant Fire Chief Retiring

Western Springs IL

30 December, 2021

1:06 PM

Description

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — Western Springs Assistant Fire Chief Tom Dillon is retiring Friday after 33 years with the fire department, the village announced Thursday. Dillon started with the department in January 1988 as a paid-on-call firefighter and is now the longest serving active member of the department, according to a village news release. Dillon achieved the rank of lieutenant in 2006, captain in 2011 and assistant chief in 2016. He manages a full-time career as a lawyer and raises his family in Western Springs, the release said. Assistant chief is a paid-on-call position. Dillon is credited with updating the fire department's policies and procedures. For many years, he taught the Courage to be Safe program, which teaches firefighters to prevent line-of-duty deaths. The village said no serious firefighter injury or firefighter death has occurred at an incident commanded by Dillon. "Tom has certainly left his mark on the department, and we all appreciate having the opportunity to serve with him," Fire Chief Mike Kelly said in a statement. The department is planning to formally recognize Dillon's service later.