Excerpts from theChicagoTribune.com:
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner on Thursday recommended Fire Marshal Gary Krienitz, a 19-year Aurora Fire Department veteran, as the new Aurora fire chief.
Krienitz, 43, would take office Feb. 20, the day after the retirement of current Chief John Lehman takes effect. Weisner said Krienitz was chosen from a field of six very strong candidates from within the department, a sign of the good leadership developed by Lehman during his time as chief.
Weisner made his announcement Thursday afternoon in the main bay of the Central Fire Station downtown. Many fire department leaders and rank-and-file members attended the announcement, as well as members of the Aurora Police Department, aldermen and members of the public.
The Aurora City Council must approve the appointment. Aldermen will discuss it at a special meeting of the committee of the whole at 5 p.m. Jan. 26.
“When I was in high school at Waubonsie Valley, a friend gave me an opportunity to ride with Medic 4 at Fire Station 4. Little did I know that brief ride-along would have such an impact on who I would become,” he said. “Now to be considered for the position as the next chief of the Aurora Fire Department is such a great honor.”
In 2014, Krienitz was named firefighter of the year in Aurora. Along with Pvt. Jason Larson and Pvt. Dan Murphy, he earned the department’s top award for efforts during a dangerous motel fire that resulted in them saving the lives of two people.
A member of the National Fire Protection Association and the International Association of Arson Investigators, Krienitz holds more than 15 certifications, including being a certified evidence technician, rescue specialist, arson investigator, emergency medical technician, juvenile fire setter counselor, and personal trainer. He has completed more than 50 training courses through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Illinois Fire Service Institute, the Illinois State Police Academy for Arson and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Krienitz earned his fire science degree from the College of DuPage and was a team leader with the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force.
Krienitz thanked Lehman for mentoring him “for my entire career.” He also thanked all the firefighters in Aurora, who he said always supported him. He called them “smart and excellent.”
thanks Dan
