Excerpts from AroundBerwyn.com:

Berwyn Deputy Fire Chief Paul Gardner Jr. has worked at the Berwyn Fire Department for 34 years. He is one of four deputy fire chiefs in the department and is set to retire on Sept. 7.

“He was truly a fireman’s fireman,” Fire Chief Denis O’Halloran said. “He isn’t afraid to get dirty, go in there and get the job done. He will be missed.”

Gardner started his career as a paid on-call firefighter/EMT with the Stickney Fire Department. In 1980, he began working full-time with the Berwyn Fire Department as an EMT. In 1981, he took his fire test and was hired as a Berwyn firefighter.

Gardner was promoted to engineer, lieutenant and finally as deputy chief. His father, Paul Gardner Sr., served as a captain on the Berwyn Fire Department. Combined, they have more than 70 years of fire service with the city of Berwyn.

As Gardner retires, this leaves an opening that must be filled. According to city ordinance, a deputy chief’s position must be filled by one of the department’s 12 lieutenants. Once Gardner’s replacement is selected, the vacant spot in the lieutenants ranks will need to be filled.

thanks Dan