Elgin fire chief leaves to take Bartlett post

Elgin Fire Chief Mike Falese today leaves the department he's served for 24 years to get ready for his new assistant chief's job in Bartlett.

His newly signed, one-year contract with the Bartlett Fire Protection District begins Sept. 17.

Falese's decision to leave the state's seventh-busiest department -- and a $141,000 salary -- for an assistant chief post raised some eyebrows. He's moving to a community half the size and taking a $41,000 pay cut.

But there's no scandal and no ill feelings toward anyone, Falese said, adding he couldn't have had it any better while with Elgin.

"Something inside of me was saying there are some good experiences out there waiting," Falese said. "It's hard for some to understand, but it's easy for me."

Bartlett Chief Kevin Heine says his district will benefit from Falese's experience running a growing department and planning new stations. Construction recently began on Bartlett's third firehouse, this one on the west side of town.

"I think he'll bring a lot of quality and save us from making mistakes," Heine said. "He's been through it, and we're new to it. Their loss is our gain."

Falese, 47, will be the assistant fire chief of operations and administration, earning $100,000. His duties will include purchasing equipment, hiring personnel and officer testing.

Heine, whose contract is up in January, makes $103,000.

Since Falese started as an Elgin firefighter in 1983, he's held six different ranks and served in many capacities.

Elgin had five fire stations when Falese took over as chief in 2003. Since then, a sixth station has opened and No. 7 is five months away from completion. Soil is being tested on the properties where Nos. 8 and 9 will go.

He's also been instrumental in planning decades ahead for Elgin's full build-out, and said the city could ultimately have up to 15 stations.

He hopes his successor is successful lobbying for "critical budget needs" like hiring a training officer and more full-time staff, manning a ladder truck and replacing apparatus. The constant struggle for those has caused tension between Falese, the union and the city.

But he expects there to be many differences in his new job, since Bartlett's fire district is controlled by an independent fire board and not the local village board.

Falese says being a chief of a metro area with half a million people may appeal to him one day, but not now.

"Bartlett is experiencing some growth, which brings challenges but also opportunities," Falese said. "I like the idea of working in a smaller department to contribute what I've learned."