Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Ben Wozney named as chief of the Wilmette Fire Department.

Wilmette officials announced Ben Wozney, a fire department veteran named deputy chief just last year, will take over for retiring Chief Mike McGreal when the latter retires Aug. 2.

Wozney, who joined the department as a firefighter and paramedic in 1995. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2010 and duty chief in 2015 before being named deputy chief in 2016. He has served as director of the MABAS Division III water rescue team, overseeing a team of 86 divers from area fire departments.

As deputy chief, he has been responsible for managing the daily operations of the department’s staff and has worked with McGreal on the department’s strategic plan and employee development.

Wozney is a graduate of New Trier High School, holds a bachelor of arts in psychology, and is also the recipient of the executive scholar award from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School for Nonprofit Management. 

McGreal was hired in 1988 as a firefighter and paramedic and was promoted to lieutenant in 2000, before serving as fire marshal in 2001 then being promoted to deputy chief in 2007. During his tenure, he was a site peer assessor for the Center for Fire Accreditation International, and as an instructor and committee member for the Northern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy.

thanks Dan

Tags: Ben Wozney, Chief Mike McGreal, new fire chief in Wilmette, Wilmette Fire Department