Aurora’s present fire marshal is likely to be its next fire chief.

Mayor Tom Weisner announced today (Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016) he is recommending Aurora Fire Marshal Gary Krienitz to replace retiring Aurora Fire Department Chief John Lehman.

“I’m very pleased to recommend Gary as our next chief,” Weisner said at a Thursday press conference. “His natural leadership qualities, combined with his considerable experience and training, make him a solid choice for chief. Gary’s strong record of volunteerism will help to carry on the tradition of the fire chief being an integral part of the Aurora community.”

Gary Krienitz. CREDIT: City of Aurora

Serving in the Aurora Fire Department for 19 years, Krienitz began as a paramedic before being promoted to lieutenant and then captain. In April 2015, was appointed as Aurora’s Fire Marshal.

“When I was in high school at Waubonsie Valley, a friend gave me an opportunity to ride with Medic 4 at Fire Station 4. Little did I know, that brief ride-a-long would have such an impact on who I would become,” he said. “Now to be considered for the position as the next chief of the Aurora Fire Department is such a great honor.”

A graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School, Krienitz served 11 years as a paramedic after joining the department in 1997. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2008 and to captain in 2014. One year later in 2015, he was appointed as Aurora’s fire marshal, replacing Matt Perez, who in turn had been selected as the new fire marshal for the state of Illinois.

In 2014, Krienitz was named Firefighter of the Year. Along with Pvt. Jason Larson and Pvt. Dan Murphy, he earned the department’s top award for their stalwart efforts in a dangerous motel fire that resulted putting themselves in harm’s way and saving the lives of two people.

A member of the National Fire Protection Association and the International Association of Arson Investigators, Krienitz holds more than 15 certifications, including being a certified evidence technician, rescue specialist, arson investigator, emergency medical technician, juvenile fire setter counselor and personal trainer. He has completed more than 50 training courses through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Illinois Fire Service Institute, the Illinois State Police Academy for Arson and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Krienitz earned his Fire Science degree from the College of DuPage and was a Team Leader with the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force.

A dedicated community volunteer, Krienitz mentors youth at Calvary Church, teaches Junior Achievement classes at local schools, and has put his extensive training and expertise to use with medical missions in Guatemala, Cambodia, the Philippines, Brazil, Bosnia,  Belgium, Slovakia and Ethiopia. He, his wife Stephanie, and their children, Claire and Kevin, reside in Plainfield. They’ll be moving to Aurora within one year.

“You know when you have that feeling when something is just right? That’s how I felt first entering a career in fire service and that feeling is even greater all these years later,” said Krienitz. “Building on foundation laid by Chief Lehman, the Aurora Fire Department has the right tools needed to continue to improve and be the best. I look forward to working with my team to develop short-term and long-term goals that are realistic yet innovative, aggressive and efficient.”

Chief John Lehman advised Weisner several months ago that it was his intention to retire in early 2016, prompting Weisner to begin an extensive internal selection process that  included peer surveys, management evaluations and multiple rounds of interviews. Weisner made his recommendation from among six internal candidates.

The recommendation for Aurora Fire Chief will be considered during a special Committee of the Whole meeting of the City Council at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26. At 6 p.m., the City Council will convene for its regularly scheduled meeting, where aldermen will vote on the mayor’s recommendation of Krienitz as Aurora fire chief.

Lehman will continue to serve as fire chief through his scheduled retirement date in February.

This is the second big personnel announcement in the city of Aurora in the past two weeks. On Jan. 7, Weisner announced that he had selected Kristen Ziman to be the city of Aurora’s next police chief.

SOURCE: city of Aurora news release

About the Aurora Fire Department

Aurora Fire Chief John Lehman. SOURCE: City of Aurora website

 

The Aurora Fire Department’s mission is to provide essential fire suppression, special operations, and emergency medical services to the citizens of the city of Aurora with an elevated level of expertise.

To provide a unified professional response to life and property incidents affecting the City of Aurora and its citizens.

To maintain and enforce an updated and continuing inspections program to enforce adopted codes and to supply quality fire prevention and education programs to the citizens of Aurora. To provide the greatest quality of service to the public through a comprehensive training program that seeks to sharpen existing skills and develop new technologies to meet future demands and to provide a safe and healthy work environment for our employees.

About the City of Aurora

Located 35 miles west of Chicago, Aurora is the second largest city in Illinois with a population of 200,456.  Aurora is known as the “City of Lights” because it was one of the first in the nation to illuminate its streets with electric lights.  Situated along the Fox River and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (Interstate 88), the city extends 46 square miles encompassing Kane, DuPage, Kendall and Will counties.  Aurora also is home to six public school districts and seven townships.  For the latest news, access to an archive of past news releases or to follow the city on Facebook or Twitter, visit the city’s website at www.aurora-il.org.