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.
#1 by FFPM571 on May 8, 2021 - 10:30 PM
I’m sure old Tommy boy will get a nice job working for Metro for Davy Hill… with a nice fat salary on top of his Lisle/woodridge Pension , his Elmhurst IMRF pension and what ever else he had from his days as a ISO Rep…
#2 by harry on May 8, 2021 - 8:25 PM
summer 2016 the eone came
#3 by MABAS 21 on May 8, 2021 - 9:26 AM
Hopefully Bill gets the spot.
#4 by Michael m on May 7, 2021 - 10:06 PM
I hope the new Chief is more supportive of the rank and file. When did they get the 2016 tower ladder, that is now tower 1? Was it before this Chief took office in October 2016? The last two apparatus purchases have been Pierce. I wonder how the new ladder 2 is working out for them. I also wonder how Engine 1 is working out as well.
I wonder how much less equipment ladder two can carry than the 2016 E-One tower?
#5 by harry on May 7, 2021 - 5:39 PM
could this mean maybe eone may return we can hope or maybe sutphen or seagrave
#6 by BMurphy on May 7, 2021 - 1:59 PM
Keeping’ the folks at Lake and Walnut happy…
#7 by crabbymilton on May 7, 2021 - 11:22 AM
As long as your wishing him well. SHEESH
#8 by Mike on May 6, 2021 - 9:31 PM
It should read one of his accomplishments was implementing rescue one and trying to bring more private employees into the department because he was to spineless to advocate for his own employees running ALS fire companies or even taking over the ambulance completely. I believe the retirement sentiment was goodbye and good riddance.