Mount Prospect stays in house for new fire chief, top deputy

Mount Prospect has named a new fire chief and deputy chief.

Brian Lambel and John Dolan, who have been serving as interim fire chief and interim deputy fire chief since Oct. 1, will begin those positions on a permanent basis effective March 16, the village announced Tuesday.

"Throughout the past five months, both Fire Chief Lambel and Deputy Fire Chief Dolan have exceeded my expectations in terms of providing positive leadership within the Fire Department and the Village Leadership Team," Village Manager Michael J. Cassady said in a news release.

Cassady said both men were part the budget process, hiring of new firefighter-paramedics and union negotiations over the past few months.

"We are pleased that we have developed the bench strength to do these promotions from within," Mayor Arlene Juracek said.

Lambel has been a member of the Mount Prospect Fire Department since 2000 - serving 10 years as a firefighter/paramedic, three as a lieutenant and two years as battalion chief. He previously spent 10 years as a firefighter/paramedic with the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District.

Lambel also has served as the team leader of the Mount Prospect Technical Rescue Team and as a rescue squad officer for the Illinois Urban Search and Rescue Team, according to the village.

Dolan started with the department in 1993 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2009. Over the years, he has received a number of certifications specializing in firefighting, pump operations, emergency management, hazardous materials, dive rescue and more, according to the village.

"I am proud to call Mount Prospect home. Being born and raised here, it is with great humility that I am able to serve my hometown in this way," Dolan said.

Lambel and Dolan will be sworn in at the March 16 village board meeting. Firefighter/paramedics Todd Novak, Richard Schwegler, Thomas Wang and Matthew Woleben who will be promoted to lieutenants that night.