Wheeling firefighters honor retiree

Wheeling firefighters bid adieu to one of their own Monday as Lt. Bart Burns planned for his retirement. The group also welcomed lieutenant and paramedic John Baumgartner to take the place of retiring Burns.

Burns started as a firefighter in the department on Sept. 5, 1979. He became certified as an emergency medical technician and paramedic in 1980 and was promoted to lieutenant/paramedic in 2003. He's certified as a juvenile firesetter intervention specialist, and he has educated children against the dangers of fire through the Children's Fire Safety Festival and as a counselor for the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance "Camp I Am Me."

The village declared Nov. 27 "Bart J. Burns Day" in commemoration of his 29 years with the Wheeling fire department.

"You've been a great mentor and true friend," Baumgartner said of his predecessor.