City Manager Rick Kozal announced that Assistant Fire Chief Robert Cagann will serve as interim fire chief, effective immediately.

Cagann

Cagann will serve as the interim chief until a selection is made for the chief position. Cagann will now be responsible for leading the department of 133 fire and emergency personnel at seven fire stations within the 38 square miles of Elgin and with an annual operating budget of nearly $30 million.

Cagann brings 27 years of experience with the Elgin Fire Department. He was hired as a firefighter in 1993 and promoted to lieutenant in 2001, captain in 2008 and battalion chief in 2015.

Schmidt

Cagann was then appointed to assistant fire chief in 2017 at the onset of David Schmidt’s chief tenure. During that time, Cagann has distinguished himself as an integral leader in the efficiencies and advancements the fire department is practicing.

“I am wholly confident that the exemplary service for which the Elgin Fire Department is recognized will continue unabated under Interim Chief Cagann’s leadership until a new fire chief is appointed,” Kozal said.

Cagann steps into the interim post as David Schmidt retires after 30 years with the Elgin Fire Department, the last three years as chief. Schdmit will continue his career as the Fire Chief in Carrboro, NC, beginning on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.

SOURCE: city of Elgin news release