Carol Stream ready to pick interim fire chief

The Carol Stream fire board didn't have to look far to find an interim replacement for its departing chief.

Deputy Chief Rick Kolomay is expected to be named to the post Monday, a move that begins what board President Del Miller called "kind of a 90-day trial."

"That's just traditionally the way we have done things and operated," Miller said Thursday.

Kolomay is the only candidate to replace outgoing Chief Mike Kanzia and there are no plans to conduct an outside search. The board will reassess its decision after 90 days.

"He may not like the job or we may not like the job he is doing," Miller said.

Kolomay has worked closely with Kanzia since being appointed deputy chief in 2007. After 23 years in Schaumburg, he returned to Carol Stream, where he began his career in 1979.

Since his appointment, he has handled the operations side of the department while Kanzia has dealt with administrative work.

The interim period will allow him to experience the work Kanzia does, which includes information on labor contracts, budgets and insurance.

He definitely has Kanzia's support. The outgoing chief said he considers Kolomay a close friend; both men started in Carol Stream the same year.

Kolomay is scheduled to start the 90-day trial Oct. 1.

As a veteran firefighter, he's seen his share of interim chiefs and believes the trial period is worthwhile.

"It's very important," he said. "It's of the utmost importance for both the one who is the interim and the one who has hired them."