Lake Zurich swears in new fire chief
John Malcolm has officially taken over as Lake Zurich's fire chief.
Malcolm's family and about 50 fire personnel from Lake Zurich and other departments were at village hall Monday night to see him sworn in.
Lake Zurich Mayor Thomas Poynton told the crowd Malcolm had stiff competition among more than 40 applicants to become the village's new fire chief.
"John survived a daunting interview process that reduced the top-notch group of 43 applicant candidates to a final four outstanding people, making the final selection a difficult one," Poynton said.
Malcolm comes to Lake Zurich from Mount Prospect, where he just retired as fire chief to cap a 29-year career there. He had been Mount Prospect's fire chief since 2010.
Before he was selected as Mount Prospect's fire chief, Malcolm was involved in several aspects of the department, including oversight of underwater rescue, hazardous materials and technical rescue teams. He was responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations in his 12 years as deputy fire chief.
Malcolm said he appreciates having the opportunity to lead the Lake Zurich Fire Department.
"The first thing I want to do is to come in and just assess everything - the personnel, facilities and equipment," he said. "There was a study done on the department, so we're going to look at that."
Malcolm also will be chief of the Lake Zurich Rural Fire Protection District, a taxing agency separate from the village. Through an agreement, Lake Zurich provides service through the rural fire protection district to Deer Park, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer and unincorporated areas.
Malcom joined Mount Prospect as a firefighter/paramedic in 1986 and worked his way up the command chain to lieutenant, deputy chief and fire chief.
Malcolm replaces David Wheelock, who retired as fire chief in May after being arrested and charged with domestic battery.
Last month, Wheelock pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery and was sentenced to a year of supervision. He also was ordered to avoid contact with the victim - his estranged wife - and to avoid illegal drugs and alcohol.