Help wanted: Elgin fire chief 

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

ELGIN — With the recent retirement of Fire Chief Jack Henrici, two key positions with the city of Elgin currently are unfilled.

In addition to a new fire chief, City Manager Sean Stegall is looking to hire a communications director for the city. The city’s public information officer, Sue Olafson, was reassigned a few months ago and now handles communications for and from the police and fire departments.

As for the fire department job, “My target date for a new chief starting duties would be shortly after the first of the year. Mike Baker will be interim (chief) so we have appropriate time for the search process.” Stegall said last week.

Henrici was fire chief for the city on two occasions.

With 46 years of fire service to his credit at the time, Henrici initially retired in August 2003, after heading the Elgin department for 17 years. At that time, he was replaced by Mike Falese.

When Falese retired from the Elgin post with 24 years under his belt in August 2007, then-City Manage Olufemi Folarin appointed Henrici to the post in what was to be an interim fill.

Henrici first took the job as fire chief in 1986, overseeing the department during a period when it and the city experienced rapid growth. Before coming back to Elgin, Henrici served as an interim fire director for the south suburban village of Homewood.

Sources said two candidates who both currently work for the fire department are in the running for Henrici’s old job. Baker did not seek the post, sources said.

As for the communications director job, according to the city’s website, “Elgin is seeking a highly qualified, creative and innovative communications professional to work closely with the city manager and city staff on the city’s external and internal communications.” The job will pay about $100,000 a year, depending on experience.

The city has hired the Deerfield consulting firm of Voorhees Associates to oversee the hunt for the director’s job.

For more information on this position, go to http://www.voorheesassociates.com.