A "change in culture" as new Carol Stream fire chief sworn in

It was a night of firsts for the Carol Stream Fire Protection District.

During a formal promotion ceremony held at Glenbard North High School, four firefighters spent their first official moments in their new positions, including new Chief Rick Kolomay. The ceremony was the first of its kind for the district and included an honorary color guard and bagpipe ceremony. On top of that, Kolomay became the first chief in its history to administer the oath to other officers.

Kolomay said it sends a clear signal from the fire protection board of trustees that they have embraced a recent change in culture trumpeted by former Chief Mike Kanzia and echoed by Kolomay.

"It empowers the chiefs and empowers the ranks of the fire department," Kolomay said. "It was overwhelming. This is an unbelievable change going on here."

In recent years, infighting and bickering had significantly lowered the department's morale. But Kanzia hired Kolomay as his deputy chief in 2007 and the department has been undergoing what both have in the past called a "change in culture."

On Oct. 26, Kolomay became interim chief as both he and the board agreed to a 2 1/2-month trial period. He began his duties as fire chief at midnight on New Year's Day.

During Wednesday's ceremony, Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant and a longtime friend of Kolomay's, Patrick Lynch, told firefighters to cherish their jobs and appreciate the new leadership.

"There is something here that is really powerful," Lynch told the crowd. "There is a nucleus and there's unity here."

The ceremony welcomed firefighters from several suburbs of Chicago in addition to those from the city itself. Among those in attendance was Rick's father, Marion "Sully" Kolomay, a longtime firefighter himself. Although he had wanted his son to become a pharmacist, he said he was happy with his chosen career path.

"You always want your offspring to be something you can be proud of," the elder Kolomay said. "This is overwhelming. It's beyond your dreams and you look at it and it was because that's what he wanted."

Also at the ceremony, firefighter/paramedic Robert Schultz was made lieutenant; Lt. John Bellandi became battalion chief; and Battalion Chief Perry Johnson moved into Kolomay's vacated deputy chief spot.