From the City of Elmhurst:

Elmhurst Fire Chief Tom Freeman has retired effective April 30, 2021. He assumed the role of fire chief on October 10, 2016 coming to Elmhurst after serving as the fire chief for the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District for 22 years. He also served as a firefighter for the Village of Evergreen Park where he was promoted to several positions, eventually becoming assistant fire chief.

During his time with the City of Elmhurst, Chief Freeman had many accomplishments, most significantly his instrumental role in improving the Elmhurst Fire Department to an ISO Class 1 rating. He was also vital in the implementation and success of Rescue One, the department’s rapid response vehicle. 

He has numerous state and national certifications and memberships including the International Association of Fire Chiefs Chief Fire Officer designation.

During his career, he was president of MABAS Division 16, a member of MABAS Division 12, the Illinois Terrorism Task Force Committee on Training, appointed to the FEMA Region V Regional Advisory Council, and was a member of the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Crisis Management Team. Chief Freeman serves as an appointee of the governor on the State of Illinois Medal of Honor Committee. As an instructor for the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute and the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, he teaches throughout the state in the areas of strategy and tactics, incident management, unified command, and officer development and leadership.

Deputy Fire Chief Bill Anaszewicz has been appointed to serve as acting fire chief as the process moves forward.