Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
Elk Grove Village Fire Department Deputy Chief of Operations and Administration Lance Harris will replace retiring West Dundee Chief Randy Freise, who has held the post since 2012. Harris’ first day will be April 20, two weeks before Freise’s official retirement. The overlap is intended to facilitate a solid and seamless transition. Harris will be the fourth chief in the West Dundee Fire Department’s 40-year history.
Harris started as an Elk Grove firefighter and paramedic more than 24 years ago and worked his way through the ranks to lieutenant, battalion chief, and then deputy chief in 2014.
When Freise initially announced his retirement in August 2018, West Dundee began pursuing a deal that would have Rutland-Dundee Fire Chief Richard Thomas take over the leadership of both departments. Freise agreed to stay on until negotiations were finalized, but before a joint fire management services agreement was reached, Rutland-Dundee officials informed West Dundee last September that they were no longer interested in the shared chief option, primarily out of concern that Thomas would be spread too thin.
