Village of Flossmoor issued the following announcement on April 6.
At Monday’s Village Board meeting, the Village Board confirmed Mayor Braun’s appointment of former Flossmoor Fire Chief Greg Berk to the position of Interim Fire Chief, filling the vacancy left by retired Fire Chief Chris Sewell.
In Flossmoor, the position of Fire Chief is a mayoral appointment with a confirming vote by the Board of Trustees. The position reports daily to the Village Manager. The Village Board of Trustees unanimously selected Berk, who joined the Flossmoor Fire Department in 1967 and retired as chief in 2003.
“The Village Board of Trustees and I are very pleased and grateful to have the fire service experience and love for Flossmoor that Interim Chief Berk brings back to the community during this difficult time for our community and the country,” said Mayor Paul Braun. “We look forward to having the assistance of Interim Chief Berk as the Village continues to provide essential fire protection and emergency medical services for the community.”
Prior to his retirement, Berk served the Flossmoor Fire Department as fire chief for 25 years, from 1978 to 2003. Berk joined the Flossmoor Fire Department in 1967 as a volunteer firefighter, eventually working his way up the ranks to the role of chief, having served as the Village’s first full-time Fire Chief. Following his retirement in 2003, he served as the Fire Chief of Wheaton for 10 years. He also served as the Interim Fire Chief in Roselle for six months in 2015.
Berk holds his Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Illinois University and his Master’s Degree from Governors State University. Berk also carries the Executive Fire Officer designation from the National Fire Academy.
“Having spent as many years in fire service that I have, I love the fire service. When you love what you’re doing it goes by in the snap of a finger,” said Berk. “Being back in with the firefighters, being back with the Village is an exciting challenge. I’m really looking forward to getting back into Flossmoor, serving our residents and fulfilling the needs of the fire department.”
Chief Berk is expected to serve in the role of interim chief for up to 12 months.
“As the Village adjusts to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic ramifications that are expected to follow, the appointment of an interim chief allows us to ride out this storm, so to speak, before undertaking a full recruitment process for a permanent Chief,” said Bridget Wachtel, Village Manager. “I know that the impacts of this global crisis are especially difficult on first responders and I know that Chief Berk’s professionalism, experience and leadership will be a steadying force for all of us.”
Chief Berk is expected to start his new position in mid-April.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Village of Flossmoor
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