Des Plaines fire chief recovering from brain surgeries

Des Plaines Fire Chief Randy Jaeger is on medical leave as he recuperates from two brain surgeries to remove fluid.

Jaeger, 52, first complained of debilitating headaches two months ago -- just before he succeeded retiring Fire Chief John Heavey -- fire officials said. He took over the top job on Sept. 3, after being named to the post in the spring.

Doctors found bleeding in his brain and operated to remove the fluid about three weeks ago, Deputy Fire Chief Art Zern said.

At that time, doctors anticipated a three-week recovery, but they found more fluid and operated a second time this past weekend.

Doctors still haven't determined the cause of the condition, which is normally associated with a trauma, Zern said.

"We're hoping to get him back soon," Zern said.

Zern is serving as acting chief while Jaeger is recuperating at his Barrington home.

Jaeger became a firefighter in 1979, when he joined the Bensenville force. He was among those responders called to the scene of the crash of American Airlines Flight 191 that year.

Jaeger became a Des Plaines firefighter paramedic in 1983 and then a lieutenant in 1990. He was promoted to captain in 1993 and to battalion commander in 2001. Jaeger became deputy fire chief in 2003.