Prospect Hts. fire district names Firefighter of the Year

For the fourth time in six years, Lt. Andrew Plonski was named Firefighter of the Year by the men who serve with him in the Prospect Heights Fire Protection District.

Plonski accepted the award Saturday, Dec. 7, at the district’s annual employee recognition dinner, held at Rob Roy Golf Course in Prospect Heights.

Fire Chief Donald R. Gould Jr. described the criteria — keeping up with training requirements, on the job performance, general leadership and involvement in special projects — before announcing the award.

“In our 23 years of presenting this award, he’s won it more than any other firefighter,” Gould said. “It speaks highly of your commitment and dedication to our organization.”

In receiving the honor, Plonski played down his personal achievements, but instead credited his fellow firefighters in the department.

“I’ve been up here way too much,” Plonski told the crowd of firefighters, top brass and trustees in attendance, “but without you, I wouldn’t be doing this.”

Plonski has served the Prospect Heights Fire Protection District since being hired part time in 2004. He went full time in 2007, and last year was sworn in as one of five new lieutenants on the staff.

A native of Warsaw, Poland, he speaks multiple languages, including Polish and Russian, which comes in handy when serving the diverse communities in the district.

But his colleagues say it is more than his unique background that earned him the award so many times.

“His attitude toward the job and his co-workers becomes infectious,” Gould said. “Just being around Andy makes most people want to be a better person.”

Plonski was the last award given at the dinner, but many other milestone awards were handed out. They included:

Thirty years of service: Robert Pyzyna, battalion chief/paramedic and Padriac Lahey, lieutenant/paramedic;

15 years of service: Anthony Roma, firefighter/paramedic and Louis Bertoncini, firefighter/paramedic;

10 years of service: David Jeglum, lieutenant/paramedic and Stephen Drummond, firefighter/paramedic;

5 years of service: Alfred Kotlarz, trustee; Joanne Twomey, fire commissioner; Marty Kennelly, fire commissioner; Robert McLoughlin, fire commissioner; Lauren Clausen, administrative assistant; Kevin Hedman, fighter/paramedic; Gregory Grish, fighter/paramedic; Robert Lampen, fighter/paramedic; Kevin Blum, fighter/paramedic; Charles Tragas, fighter/paramedic; Robert Beckman, fighter/paramedic; Patrick Herling, fighter/paramedic; and Markus Rill, fighter/paramedic.

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