Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
Longtime Wauconda Fire District Chief David Dato will retire in August, officials announced Friday. A traditional walkout ceremony is planned for Aug. 6, his last scheduled day of work.
Dato, 57, has served with the fire district, which covers Wauconda, Island Lake, and other nearby communities in Lake and McHenry counties, for 37 years. He’s been chief for 23 years, taking the reins in 1992. He began working with the department part-time while in college. He spent two years with the North Maine Fire Protection District in Des Plaines before joining the Wauconda district for good in 1984.
Although leaving the fire service, Dato said he is considering employment opportunities in public safety communications.
He’ll be replaced by Michael Wahl, the district’s deputy chief, who joined the Wauconda Fire District in 1987. He served as lieutenant and captain before being named deputy chief.
