Excerpts from MySuburbanlife.com:

A new fire chief has been chosen to lead the Homer Township Fire Protection District.

Battalion Chief Christopher Locacius was picked by the board on Nov. 7 as the district’s new fire chief, effective Jan. 1, according to a news release from the fire protection district. The district services an area between the Northwest Homer Fire Protection District and the Mokena Fire Protection District.

He started his fire service career in 1992 and obtained a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis on public administration in 2010. Last year, he obtained his chief fire officer certification, the highest certification offered by the Illinois State Fire Marshal.

With Locacius’ appointment, promotions of a replacement battalion chief, captain, and lieutenant will also become effective at the start of a new year.

Since last September, Deputy Fire Marshal Dave Bricker, a 34-year fire service member, has served as acting chief, after Robert Tutko, who was hired as the first full-time chief in 2012, resigned from the fire protection district.

Bricker, of Lockport, obtained a bachelor’s degree in fire service management and will become the fire prevention division chief at the start of next year.

A formal swearing-in ceremony will take place on Jan. 10. Along with the promotions, the fire protection district officials will swear in five firefighters who have successfully completed their one-year probationary period.

Tags: Battalion Chief Christopher Locacius, Deputy Fire Marshal Dave Bricker, Fire Chief Robert Tutko, Homer Township Fire Protection District, new fire chief for the Homer Township FPD