Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Terry Vavra retiring on Friday

Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Terry Vavra is retiring after nearly seven years at the helm of the village's fire department, officials said Monday.

Vavra, who has spent 39 years in the firefighting profession, joined the Buffalo Grove Fire Department in 2008 after 28 years with the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District, where he left at the rank of deputy chief.

In Buffalo Grove, Vavra helped negotiate two labor agreements, instituted a battalion chiefs testing process and served on the Lake County Fire Chiefs Board for the last five years, most recently serving as board chair. He's also taught classes in firefighter safety and had articles published in trade magazines, according to a news release.

Deputy Fire Chief Michael Baker will become interim fire chief, while the village considers Vavra's replacement. Vavra's last day is Friday.