Deputy fire chief Kazian to leave Countryside department

The Countryside Fire Protection District will lose a veteran presence with the departure next week of Deputy Chief Kris Kazian.

Kazian, who began his career with the Vernon Hills-based district as a firefighter/paramedic in 1991, is retiring Countryside to accept a job as chief of the Sedona Fire District in Arizona. He also served as a part-timer for two years on his hometown department in Libertyville.

“It’s exciting, but it’s also kind of sad,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of great friends and people who helped get me where I am.”

Firefighters can retire after 20 years of service and be eligible to collect a pension at age 50. At 41, Kazian met the benchmark and had the opportunity to examine options.

Known as “Fireman Kris” for his years teaching fire safety at area schools, Kazian said he wasn’t looking to leave but applied for the Sedona job after it was pointed out to him.

“I had an opportunity that presented itself,” he said. “I thought I would retire and become a teacher. My career path took me in another direction.”

Kazian is one of two deputy chiefs on the department and is charge of operations. He plans budgets and coordinates all functions related to firefighting including training, operating procedures and mutual aid response.

“We’re very proud of him for landing this job,” said Countryside Fire Chief Jeff Steingart, who has logged 26 years with the department and has served with Kazian for his entire tenure.

“He came here as a young firefighter and worked his way up the ranks fairly quickly,” Steingart said. He said the position will be filled from within the department.

With about 4,000 calls a year, the Sedona department is similar to Countryside, but at 168 square miles, it’s geographic jurisdiction is seven times as large. Kazian said there are a lot of technical rescue calls regarding hikers and others in the area surrounded by mountains.

Kazian recalled the removal of a worker stuck on a scissor lift 40 feet in the air at Westfield Hawthorn mall as one of the few high angle rescues done in his time here.

Aside from his role with the fire department, Kazian is well known for the work with the Helping From Heaven The Lexi Kazian Foundation, established in 2005 after the death of his daughter. The not for profit group is dedicated to serving children with special needs.

Kazian said the foundation will continue to operate as it has been.

“It’s very bittersweet to close the book on Countryside and Vernon Hills,” Kazian said. “It’s been a huge part of my life.”

His last day is March 15 when the final alarm will be sounded in a ceremonial goodbye.