ELBURN – Kelly Callaghan will retire this month after 33 years of service with the Elburn & Countryside Fire Protection District, but his connection to the fire department began even before that.

Callaghan was born and raised in Elburn. His mom still lives in the house where he grew up. He and his brother Keith and their neighborhood friends began hanging out with some of the volunteer firefighters when they were kids. They would watch the firefighters leave the station for a call, and when they came back, Callaghan and the others would show up to help wash the trucks and clean the station and the hoses.

During his junior and senior years in high school, he became a cadet through the co-op at Kaneland High School. He would attend school for a half a day, arrive at the station in time for lunch with then-chief Marv Ackerman, and work at the station in the afternoon.

He participated in the training, and went with the others on calls; the only thing he couldn’t do was to go into a structure at a fire site.

Callaghan recalls his work as a cadet as “a lot of fun stuff.”

After he graduated high school in 1985, he began working construction and volunteered as a firefighter for the next four years. Although he was still having fun, he said the real reason he became a firefighter was about helping people.

“Usually, when we get called, people are having the worst day of their lives, and we help them through that,” he said.

During that time, the fire and the ambulance divisions were separate. In 1989, Callaghan was hired into the department full-time as the deputy chief. When he was promoted to chief in 2001, the fire and ambulance divisions were merged into one.

Although his duties soon included planning and organizing, he's been on call every third day and has still gone on certain types of emergency calls.

When asked of his accomplishments, Callaghan said he has no individual accomplishments; it’s the team that does things together. He is proud to have been a part of the department’s growth, from two volunteer departments to the opening of the second fire station in 2002, third station in 2014, and finally, the move of Station 1 to its new location in 2015.

His team’s accomplishment has been to “grow with the district; making sure that we have the personnel and the equipment to take care of our district’s needs,” he said.

He said the biggest challenge faced in his time was when the Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District tried to take over a part of the Elburn & Countryside Fire Protection District.

Although it was a huge challenge, he recalled the “overwhelming response we had from the citizens that they wanted to stay with us,” he said. “That was very heartwarming to see that we had earned the support and respect of our residents.”

Elburn Village President Dave Anderson, who has known Callaghan all of his life, echoed that assessment.

“Kelly Callaghan, in my opinion, as a young man, made a decision and he has dedicated his life and his life’s efforts to the village of Elburn and the Elburn and Countryside [district,]” he said. “I am very proud of him as well as many, many, many other residents in the village should be.”

Pam Hall, administrative assistant to the district, said she met Callaghan through her husband, Steve Hall, who will be a firefighter with the district for 34 years in January. Pam was on the Ladies Auxiliary prior to being hired by the district.

“He’s a very compassionate, caring individual,” she said. “He’s got a heart of gold and he is very dedicated. He always tries to do the right thing for the taxpayer and the employees.”

When Callaghan leaves the District on Oct. 21, he won’t be idle. He said that an opportunity presented itself to him to work for a farmer.

“I’ve always enjoyed being outside, and I don’t mind getting dirty,” he said. “This fits in with me perfectly.”

Since this is the height of the harvest, he will be jumping into his new career with both feet.

“I’m very appreciative that the community has trusted me and my administration to guide the district for so long,” he said. “Whoever they find to replace me, I wish them the best of luck.”

Callaghan’s co-workers and friends will gather to “roast him, congratulate him and give him a high-five on his accomplishments" at 5 p.m. Oct. 22, deputy chief Tate Haley said. Call the station at 630-365-6855 for retirement party information.