The NewsGazette has an article about a new fire chief in Champaign:

After an intensive search lasting more than a year, Champaign has a new fire chief.

Gary Ludwig has spent 37 years in emergency services, most recently as deputy fire chief in Memphis and a fire and emergency services training consultant, and will head the Champaign Fire Department beginning Nov. 17. He will take over for Dave Ferber, who has been acting fire chief since Doug Forsman retired last November.

Ludwig began his career in emergency services as an emergency medical technician in St. Louis in 1977, according to his resume. He soon became a paramedic and in 1994 became chief paramedic of the St. Louis Fire Department. He did that for seven years before taking other jobs as an educator and a director of emergency services for Jefferson County, Mo. In 2005, he was hired as deputy fire chief in Memphis.

Since 1996, he has been managing director of his private company, The Ludwig Group, which provides training and consultation.

In addition to providing a high level of service for residents, Ludwig said he has another priority: the safety and wellness of all fire department employees.

“I’ve done my homework on the Champaign Fire Department,” he said. “They’re a very professional fire department. I’m very excited. Their professionalism is second to none.”

Ludwig has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kensington University and a master’s degree in business and management from National Louis University. His Champaign salary will start at $135,000.

thanks Dan