Posts Tagged Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Mike Baker

Buffalo Grove Fire Department news

Excerpts from vbg.org:

Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Baker to retire; Deputy Chief Kane appointed as successor

After 45 years in the fire service, Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Mike Baker has announced his retirement, effective July 14, 2024. Deputy Chief Lawrence “Larry” Kane will be appointed as Chief Baker’s successor, on the following day. 
 
Chief Baker’s career has been distinguished by a series of achievements, including his role in directing municipal emergency management services, overseeing personnel issues and labor negotiations, and coordinating fire prevention bureau activities.
 
He began as a firefighter/paramedic in Hanover Park in 1979, then joined the City of Elgin Fire Department in 1985 as a firefighter/paramedic.  Over the years he rose through the ranks to Interim Fire Chief from 2011-2012. He joined the Buffalo Grove Fire Department in 2013 as deputy chief and was promoted to Fire Chief and Emergency Management Agency Director in 2015.
 
Chief Baker served as a senior instructor at the Elgin Regional Fire Academy from 1990 to 2004, and later held positions as curriculum coordinator, fire service steering committee member, and fire science/EMS instructor at Elgin Community College between 2013 and 2016. He holds a Masters of Public Administration from Northern Illinois University, Masters of Public Administration/Emergency Management from Upper Iowa University, and numerous certifications from institutions like Texas A&M and the National Fire Academy.
 
The transition comes at an exciting time for the fire department. In March 2023, the fire department became one of just 11 communities in Illinois to earn international accreditation. Kane will oversee the rebuilding of Fire Station 25, while simultaneously planning for other facility improvements required to modernize equipment and operations.
 
Deputy Chief Kane is a third-generation firefighter. His career began as a police officer before joining the Glenview Fire Department in 2001 where he rose through the ranks. He has a Bachelor’s in Fire Science Management from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University.
 
Chief Kane joined the Buffalo Grove Fire Department in 2022.
 

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Buffalo Grove Fire Department news

Excerpts from the journal-topics.com:

Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Mike Baker has received the professional re-designation of Chief Fire Officer (CFO) from the Center for Public Safety Excellence’s Commission on Professional Credentialing.

Baker is one of 1,391 CFOs worldwide and one of only 58 in Illinois. He obtained the original designation in July 2013.

A board of review consisting of fire and emergency services professionals, academia, and municipal agencies review applications and recommend successful candidates for designation or re-designation to the commission.

The CFO designation is a voluntary program that recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence in several areas, including education and professional development, association membership and technical competencies.

Baker has been a member of the Buffalo Grove Fire Dept. since 2013 and holds a master’s degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in emergency management from Upper Iowa University.

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Buffalo Grove FD promotions

Following the retirement of Buffalo Grove BC Brian Barna, the Buffalo Grove FD promoted Lieutenant Ronald Two Bulls to the rank of battalion chief and Firefighter Alfredo Caballero to the rank of lieutenant at the village board meeting Monday, May 6, 2019.

Buffalo Grove FD Battalion Chief Ronald Two Bulls

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FD Battalion Chief Ronald Two Bulls

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FD Battalion Chief Ronald Two Bulls

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FD Lieutenant Alfredo Caballero

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FD Lieutenant Alfredo Caballero

Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FD Lieutenant Alfredo Caballero

Larry Shapiro photo

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Buffalo Grove Firefighter/Paramedic John Kevin Hauber; January 6, 1967 – January 27, 2018

Buffalo Grove FD Firefighter/Paramedic Kevin Hauber

Buffalo Grove FD Firefighter/Paramedic Kevin Hauber

From Buffalo Grove Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Local 3177

It is with very heavy hearts that we report that Firefighter/Paramedic Kevin Hauber has succumbed to the cancer that he has been fighting for many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

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Arrangements for Firefighter/Paramedic John “Kevin” Hauber who has succumb to his fight with cancer. Please keep his Family in your Thoughts and Prayers.

Wake:

Thursday, Feb 1, 2018
Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois.

15:00 – 21:00

FD walk through at 19:00, line up at 18:30.

Funeral:

Friday, February 2, 2018
St. Mary’s Church
50 N. Buffalo Grove Rd, Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

09:30 – Family prayer at Funeral Home

10:00 – Procession to Church

10:30 – Funeral Mass at Church

From the Village of Buffalo Grove website:

The Village of Buffalo Grove is mourning the loss of 23-year veteran, Firefighter/Paramedic Kevin Hauber 51, who bravely fought against colon cancer for the last four years before succumbing to the disease Saturday, January 27, 2018. Hauber was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing, which included his wife and four young daughters.

“Kevin fought long and hard all while still on the job protecting the people of Buffalo Grove, which was his true passion. He grew up in Buffalo Grove and became a firefighter because his childhood dream was to protect and serve,” the Hauber family said in a statement.

Growing up, he and his twin brother Jim, also a firefighter/paramedic with the Buffalo Grove Fire Department, idolized the characters on the 1970’s show, EMERGENCY! which profiled the crew of a California fire department. In 2014 while undergoing chemotherapy treatments, Hauber met one of the stars of the show, Randy Mantooth, and was able to explain to him how the show motivated he and his brother to become firefighters. Mantooth signed a picture of them as little boys during the meeting, an experience that Hauber cherished.

Hauber began his full-time career in Buffalo Grove in 1994 as a firefighter/paramedic. In 2004, he joined the Associated Firefighters of Illinois (AFFI) Honor Guard, which exists to provide final honors to fallen firefighters throughout the State of Illinois.

According to Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Mike Baker, Hauber deeply believed in the mission of the AFFI Honor Guard, and always made himself available to serve at events that honored fallen comrades.

In 2018, the AFFI Honor Guard presented Kevin with the 2018 Donald J. Bower Commitment to Excellence Award for his dedication and commitment to the Honor Guard.

“Kevin was a caring, loving person who was always happy and never had anything bad to say about anyone, even when he was sick,” said Chief Baker. “He is already missed.” 

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Buffalo Grove Fire Department news

Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:

Buffalo Grove Firefighter/Paramedic Mark Anderson was recently promoted to lieutenant. Anderson has been with the department for 25 years full time.

Fire Chief William “Mike” Baker said the lieutenant’s position opened up with the retirement of Lt. Wendill Bills, a 33-year veteran.

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Buffalo Grove Fire Department news

Excerpts from Patch.com:

Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Mike Baker has successfully completed the process that awards him the professional re-designation of “Chief Fire Officer” (CFO).

The designation was given by the Commission on Professional Credentialing who met on May 10, 2016. Baker is one of only 1,146 CFO’s worldwide. Baker received his original CFO designation on June 4, 2013. To maintain it, individuals need to show they have continued to develop as a CFO in four areas: professional development, professional contributions, active association membership, and community involvement.

“We congratulate Chief Baker for his ongoing dedication to professional development,” said Village Manager Dane Bragg. “This re-designation signifies his commitment to his department, the village, and to the residents of Buffalo Grove.”

The Chief Fire Officer Designation program is voluntary and recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence in seven measured components including experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement, and technical competencies.

A board of review consisting of members of the fire and emergency services profession, academia, and municipal agencies reviews each application and recommends successful candidates for designation to the commission.

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New fire chief for Buffalo Grove

From the Village of Buffalo Grove website:

Buffalo Grove Names New Fire Chief

Village Manager Dane Bragg has announced the promotion of William “Mike” Baker to serve as fire chief of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department. Mr. Baker has served as the Interim Fire Chief since Terrence Vavra retired in February 2015.

Chief Baker has been with the Village of Buffalo Grove since 2013 as deputy fire chief. He has over 36 years of fire experience including 30 years as a paramedic, eight years as the Elgin Fire Department Assistant Chief, and 14 years as a fire instructor with the Elgin Regional Fire Academy. Baker was awarded Firefighter of The Year in 1989 and has received the Chief VandeVoorde award for EMS Excellence. He is also a 23 year senior adjunct faculty at Elgin Community College. Baker graduated with academic honors from Northern Illinois University with a Masters of Public Administration and has received the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation by the Center for Public Safety Excellence and Executive Fire Officer (EFO) from the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD.

Chief Baker will assume his role as fire chief after being sworn in to his new post during the Village Board meeting on July 6, 2015.  A reception will be held to welcome Chief Baker at 7:00 pm at Village Hall, 50 Raupp Boulevard, immediately preceding the regularly scheduled Village Board meeting.

thanks Dan

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