Prospect Heights swears in 5 new lieutenants

Members of the Prospect Heights Fire Protection District strengthened its command staff on Tuesday, March 20, when they promoted five new lieutenants.

The ceremony took place at Fire Station No. 9, with Prospect Heights Mayor Nick Helmer in attendance, as well as fire protection district trustees, members of the department’s command staff, families, fellow firefighters from neighboring towns and city of Prospect Heights staff. The new lieutenants included: Ed Kotowski, with 15 fire district years of service; Dave Jeglum, with nine years of fire district service; Andy Plonski, with eight years of fire district service; Paul Miller, with seven years of fire district service; and Kelly Cossman, with three years of fire district service, and who also was awarded “Firefighter of the Year” in December.

“As a lieutenant/paramedic, you will have the power to make a difference in the lives of your crew members and the residents of our community,” Fire Chief Donald R. Gould told them.

“You must bring calm during chaos, comfort to the sick and injured, and in some occasions you will be there when a person takes their last breath,” he added. “This is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. You are now a team leader, the company officer.”

Members of the audience gave the new lieutenants a standing ovation after they were sworn in and given their new helmets and badges.

For Lt. Kotowski, the promotion signaled a dream come true for the former Wheeling High School graduate and business major at Illinois State University.

“It’s been a grueling process, but right now there’s a huge sense of pride — and responsibility,” Kotowski said. Cossman agreed, adding that they took Chief Gould’s command seriously, of being the “first one in — and the last one out” of a fire call their team answers.

“This truly is a brotherhood,” Cossman said. “You want to make sure that everyone who goes in, comes back out.”

Deputy Fire Chief Drew Smith said the promotions are the latest organizational move since the district went to a full-time department six years ago.

“The span of control is consistent,” Smith said. “We have an organizational chart where everyone is accountable.”

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