American Legion names Hoffman Estates lieutenant its Illinois Firefighter of the Year

Illinois American Legion has named Hoffman Estates Fire Lt. Kurt Lichtenberg the organization’s Illinois Firefighter of the Year.

Lichtenberg will automatically be considered for the National American Legion Firefighter of the Year Award.

He was nominated for the state award based on the merit of his work at the Hoffman Estates Fire Department.

In addition to his regular duties leading a crew and fire station on one of the fire department’s three shifts, Lichtenberg serves as the public education officer, managing the Public Education Division and all the department’s school visits, public appearances, station tours, citizen fire academies, open houses and more.

He also recently developed the department’s “Fully Involved Fire Academy” for citizens with special needs. The inaugural offering of this unique program, which is the first of its kind in the region, is now underway in partnership with the Northwest Special Recreation District.

For the past several years, Lichtenberg has also volunteered in his free time as the leader of the Logistics Division of Camp I-am-Me, a weeklong summer camp conducted by the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance for children who have sustained burn injuries.