Fire Chief

Villageoflombard; Lombard (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Village of Lombard in Lombard, IL seeks a Fire Chief to lead fire and EMS operations, manage a $17.4 million budget, and oversee 75 staff across two stations. The role requires strong strategic leadership, collaboration with agencies, and active engagement with residents and officials.

The ideal candidate has 7–9 years of leadership experience in firefighting, education, and fire prevention, with writing and public speaking skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Fire Protection/Safety, Fire Engineering, or related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Seven to nine years of progressively responsible experience in firefighting, fire rescue, fire prevention and education, with three to five years of supervisory experience.
• Experience as an innovative, collaborative fire/EMS leader with demonstrated staff management, interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to develop strong relationships with surrounding Fire/EMS agencies for comprehensive high-level services for residents.
• Well-developed writing and public speaking skills and the utmost integrity.
• A clear and dynamic vision for providing excellent, proactive emergency services.
• Willingness to embrace a high-performance organization.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency situations and may direct fire and rescue operations at scenes.
• Coordinate Emergency Preparedness activities for large-scale emergency response.
• Investigate causes of fires and submit reports as required.
• Interpret and administer firefighter collective bargaining agreement and personnel manual.
• Enforce Village fire protection codes.
• Act as liaison between the Village and citizens.
• Represent the Village in meetings with governmental agencies, professionals, and the public.
• Attend night meetings and Village events as required.

Skills

Leadership

Staff management

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science/Fire Administration/Fire Protection/Safety/Fire Engineering or related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Job Opportunities

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Lombard, IL (population 43,492) , Dynamic, progressive community located 20 miles west of Chicago's loop in the heart of DuPage County, Lombard encompasses 10.5 square miles and is a residential community with a thriving commercial base. The Village is bounded on the west by I-355 and on the south by I-88. The Village seeks highly skilled fire service and EMS leaders prepared to meet the demands of the community.

The Fire Department employs 66 full-time sworn personnel including the Chief, two deputy Chiefs, three Battalion Chiefs, 12 lieutenants and 48 full-time firefighters. The selected candidate will administer, manage, direct, and supervise all fire department operations and programs with a $17.4 million budget, which consists of two fire stations and a total staff of 75 employees. In 2025, the Fire Department responded to 8,220 incidents of which 1,996 were fire related and 6,224 were EMS related. The Department has an ISO rating of 2.

This position will respond to emergency situations and may direct fire and rescue operations at scenes. Other responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the coordination of Emergency Preparedness activities for large-scale emergency response; investigate the causes of fires and submit reports as required; interpret and administer firefighter collective bargaining agreement and personnel manual; enforce Village fire protection Codes; act as a liaison between the Village and citizens. In addition, the Fire Chief represents the Village in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, professional and business organizations, and the public. As such, regular attendance at night meetings and Village events is expected. The Fire Chief reports to the Village Manager and is part of the Village's executive management team.

Qualified candidates should have:

• A bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Fire Administration, Fire Protection/Safety, Fire Engineering, or related field A master's degree is preferred.
• Seven to nine years of progressively responsible experience in firefighting, fire rescue, fire prevention and education, with three to five years of supervisory experience.
• Experience as an innovative, collaborative fire/EMS leader with demonstrated staff management, interpersonal and customer service skills.
• The ability to develop strong relationships with surrounding Fire/EMS agencies for the most comprehensive and balanced approach to high-level services for the residents of the city.
• Well-developed writing and public speaking skills and the utmost integrity.
• A clear and dynamic vision for providing excellent, proactive emergency services.
• A willingness to embrace a high-performance organization.

Residency is not required; however, a candidate needs to live within thirty (30) miles from the corporate boundary of the Village within twelve (12) months of start date. A competitive salary, $139,600 - $195,438, with an anticipated starting salary of $167,000 +/- DOQ, (midpoint) and an attractive benefits package will be offered.

For additional information, including a detailed recruitment brochure, please visit:

The position is open until filled, with a first review of applicants on August 10, 2026.

Lombard is an Equal Opportunity Employer.