Sycamore fire assistant set to become chief

SYCAMORE – One of Sycamore’s two assistant fire chiefs will step into the department’s top position.

Pete Polarek was chosen Thursday as the next chief of the Sycamore Fire Department. He has served as an assistant for the past two years and spent nearly 28 years with the DeKalb Fire Department prior to that.

In DeKalb, Polarek held a variety of positions, from firefighter paramedic to chief.

Polarek’s proposed annual salary will be $101,000 with benefits, City Manager Brian Gregory said. His proposed contract is effective from Tuesday until April 30, 2015.

Polarek replaces Mark Kessler, who retired earlier this year.

Gregory said 26 people applied for the position after it was advertised in March.

Interviews were conducted in April, and eight people were considered, Gregory said. From there, the group was narrowed down to a few finalists.

A panel representing the Sycamore City Council Public Safety Committee, city administration, city department heads and a member of the International Association of Firefighters Local 3046 interviewed the finalists.

Polarek had a leg up because of his time with the department and knowledge of operations within the organization, Gregory said. His experience, education and training made him stand out.

“There’s the knowledge of the department,” he said.

Polarek has a bachelor’s degree in fire service management from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in industrial management from Northern Illinois University. He also is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.

Gregory said he’s pleased with the organizational and cultural direction of the department in the past two years, and Polarek has been a part of that.

“I just think there’s been a lot of positives,” Gregory said.

Polarek is looking forward to working with all members of the department as chief. A top priority is updating the department’s strategic plan, identifying and addressing needs, and determining where resources are needed.

The plan will provide a foundation for all aspects of the department’s administration and organization and a framework for future goals, he said.

Polarek doesn’t envision making major changes at this point, but he said staff always can find areas of improvement.

“I still enjoy the work. I certainly enjoy the camaraderie and working closely with our emergency responders,” Polarek said of fire service. “I still have a while yet I want to work.”

The City Council is scheduled to consider Polarek’s appointment at Monday’s council meeting. Mayor Ken Mundy said he expects the council will vote in favor of the appointment.

Mundy said he was not part of the chief selection process, but he’s pleased with the announcement. He called Polarek a consummate firefighter and leader with more than 30 years of experience in fire service.

“We’re just thankful that he’ll be here at the helm of the fire department ...” Mundy said.

Polarek is familiar with the operational and administrative sides of the fire department, Mundy said, and he is no stranger to doing what’s best for public safety.

The city plans to fill the assistant chief opening. Having two assistant chiefs was something Bill Nicklas, former city manager, set up two years ago that’s worked well, Gregory said.

“We’re able to maintain a chief presence” because someone is always on call, Gregory said.

That search process could begin as soon as Tuesday.