The Glenview Announcements has an article about the upcoming retirement Glenview Fire Chief Wayne Globerger:
Glenview Fire Chief Wayne Globerger doesn’t deny most firefighters like him get an adrenaline rush from running into burning buildings. And he’s seen his share of accidents and misfortune — floods, car wrecks, plane crashes and tornadoes.
Still, nothing compares to his two weeks in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish, where in August 2005 the deadly Hurricane Katrina killed more than 1,800. Globerger managed an emergency aid team of 100, finding 145 bodies and rescuing 12.
On Dec. 19, Globerger will retire after 27 years with Glenview Fire Department, eight as chief. He wants to care for his wife, Claudia, who has multiple sclerosis, and live in the country and raise alpachas, which look similar to llamas.
“It’s time to put her first. I’ve been playing fireman all these years. Claudia had to quit work and it’s a daily struggle. We’re moving to the Kentucky/Tennessee border,” he said.
Globerger’s brother and son are firefighters, and as a youth he signed up for a cadet program at Knollwood Fire Department. “I was only 15 years old and you had to be 16. I lied to get it. I knew what I wanted to become.”
Globerger, 51, oversees 81 employees and five fire stations. In citing current challenges, Globerger said Glenview’s senior population is increasing and put demands on village emergency medical services. This year his department had 10 percent more medical calls.
Deputy Chief Ralph Ensign has been named the new Glenview fire chief.
#1 by Fartin' Fred on November 9, 2014 - 11:20 AM
I think your information is correct again, Bill, regarding Truck 14 & Engine 8.
And I believe the current Engine 13 is the former Engine 7, & the reserve engine is the former Engine 6 (both 2006 models, I believe)….& both the first of Glenview’s “new era rigs” (black on red scheme).
#2 by Bill Post on November 9, 2014 - 10:18 AM
Fred another interesting thing about Glenview’s current “frontline” apparatus is that two of the Engine companies (6 and 8) are actually built in a pumper/squad configuration and are a slightly different design then Engines 7 and 13 which apparently were built according to different “specs”.
I know for a fact that Engine 8 is equipped with mechanical extrication gear and that Truck 14 is also so equipped however I am not quite sure if Engine 6 has the same mechanical extrication gear on board or whether Engine 6 just carries Haz/Mat equipment in it’s extra cabinets because as of 2013 Engine 8’s and Truck 14 were the designated Extrication companies in the Glenview Fire Department according to this list that I read however that could have been an oversight and perhaps Engine 6 is also equipped as an Extrication company by now?
#3 by Fartin' Fred on November 9, 2014 - 2:06 AM
I agree, Bill. The addition of The Glen & all its residential units (plus a senior living center) definitely placed a greater demand for EMS. Yeah it’s surprising that a village teeming with sharp new rigs would have a ‘half-time’ ambulance.
And I’ve said it for years, Glenview’s rigs (red & black paint scheme, + lighting design) make them bar-none, THE nicest in Chicagoland.
#4 by Bill Post on November 8, 2014 - 11:57 PM
Chief Globerger has certainly seen alot of change and advancement in the Glenview Fire Department. It grew by adding 2 new stations and hopefully by the time he moves a new Station 6 will be open. Glenview is also fortunate enought to have the NIPSTA (Northeast Illinois Public Safety training Academy) built next to Station 14. He also probably had alot to do with Glenview adapting that sharp black over red paint scheme for it’s fire apparatus. The fact that demand for EMS service grew by 10% last year is the best argument for making Glenview Ambulance 8 back into a full time unit. For the last few years it has been a part time 12 hour unit.