Dolan new Mount Prospect fire chief

Mount Prospect looked no further than its own fire headquarters for its new chief.

Village Manager Michael Cassady has announced John Dolan, who has been acting fire chief, will be appointed to replace former chief Brian Lambel, who left to take the reins in Wilmette.

In addition, Tom Wang will move up to deputy chief of operations.

Both will be sworn in at the village board meeting June 15.

Dolan, a Loyola University graduate, began his rise through the ranks when he joined the fire service through the Mount Prospect department's paid-on-call program.

He became a full-time member in 1996, after which he served 12 years as a firefighter/paramedic, seven years as a lieutenant, and the last five years as deputy chief of operations. He has served on several committees and was a member of the technical rescue team and the underwater rescue and recovery team.

Dolan recently completed his chief fire officer certification and is a member of the International Fire Chiefs Association, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association of Illinois, and the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association.

As fire chief, Dolan hopes to provide the department with the necessary resources to continue to meet the needs of a diverse and rapidly growing community.

"As a 25-year member of this department and a 50-year resident of the village of Mount Prospect, I am honored to have been given the opportunity to serve our community in this capacity. I hope to build on the sound foundation put in place by the department's previous leaders," he said.

Wang joined the department in 2003, serving 13 years as a firefighter/paramedic and five years as lieutenant/paramedic. He serves on the diversity committee, Northwest Community Hospital Advisory Board, the safety committee, and was a member of the technical rescue team from 2005 to 2021.

He earned his Bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University and holds an advanced fire officer certification.

"Tom brings sound experience and a true love of the job that is contagious. He is a well-respected leader and I look forward to working with him," Dolan said.

As deputy chief, Wang will oversee the overall operation and coordination of the fire suppression, emergency medical services, and special teams for the department. He will work closely with the chief on the overall management and direction of the department.

"We have been blessed with great leaders in our organization, and our succession planning has been effective as a result," Cassady said.