Fahy named new Elgin Fire Department chief

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

ELGIN — City manager Sean Stegall Friday afternoon named veteran fire department member Capt. John Fahy as Jack Henrici’s replacement as fire chief.

Fahy and Battalion Chief Terry Bruce were the two finalists for the post, Stegall said.

He complimented both men on their abilities. Of Fahy, 49, Stegall said, “I’ve watched him over the years and have admired how he does things. He has the ability to make difficult decisions. I’ve seen that up close. He understands the needs of the department and the city,” Stegall said.

Fahy will earn the same annual salary as the former fire chief: $150,687.

He said he believes the department’s greatest asset is the 136 fire professionals on staff.

“Our people have been well-trained and provide a great service to the Elgin community,” Fahy said. “We have a top-notch reputation, and I want to maintain that.”

“I think the biggest challenge facing the fire department today is our ability to continue to provide the level of service residents expect within the confines of a tough economic structure,” Fahy said. “My goal is to ensure the safety of every single firefighter and resident.”

His predecessor, Henrici, retired in late November after a 50-year career in fire fighting that included two stints as Elgin’s chief.

Fahy complimented Henrici, noting that he served as mentor for a half-dozen Elgin firemen, including Fahy, who went on to become chiefs either in Elgin or with other suburban departments.

Fahy will be with the Elgin Fire Department for 24 years come February. He was born on the northwest side of Chicago and came to Elgin from Aurora’s fire department.

County board service

He was a Kane County board member for four years, representing District 21 in Dundee Township.

Though he was set to run again, he changed his mind and bowed out of the race this fall. Fahy also has been the head of the Elgin Association of Firefighters Local 439 for five years.

On the county board, Fahy served as vice-chairman of its finance committee, overseeing a budget of more than $275 million. He also served as the chairman of the finance committee for the Kane County Forest Preserve District, managing a budget of more than $63 million.

Those experiences led him to put in for the chief’s job, as did the encouragement of Henrici, Fahy said.

Fahy said that during his tenure as the local’s leader, the department and the city never went to arbitration and “always came to an agreement” on contracts.

Fahy’s longtime friend, fellow firefighter and councilman Rich Dunne, also had kind words for both Bruce and Fahy. Dunne said he felt Fahy would do well in the post.

“He knows the responsibilities are first and foremost to the safety of the citizens, then his personnel and to the needs of the department,” Dunne said.

Fahy said he will start his new role on Jan. 3. As a condition of his taking the job, he has two years to move from West Dundee to Elgin. The firefighters association will pick a new president within 30 days, Fahy said.

Councilman Dave Kaptain, who is running against incumbent Mayor Ed Schock for mayor, said he has known Fahy for more than six years and that he is well-qualified for the job.

“He’s a good decision maker with a logical mind. I think he’ll do a great job, and I wish him well,” Kaptain said.

Schock could not be reached for comment late Friday afternoon.

Education, experience

According to a press release issued by the city, Fahy is a recognized fire and paramedic expert and holds several certifications with the Office of the State Fire Marshal. He is Federal Emergency Management Agency-certified in the Incident Command and the Incident Management systems and holds several departmental awards, including a Life Saving Award, a Distinguished Service Award and a Unit Accommodation Award. Fahy also served as a lead instructor in the Elgin Regional Fire Academy for several years.

In 2001, Fahy initiated and developed the Elgin Fire Department’s “After the Fire” program to help provide residents struggling through the aftermath of a fire with a practical guide to recovery. Over the years, it’s estimated that the program has helped hundreds of Elgin residents, the release stated.

Fahy is married and the father of three grown daughters. He holds a bachelor’s degree in fire science management from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and two associate degrees from Elgin Community College.