Elk Grove's Mikel named Illinois fire chief of the year

Elk Grove Village Fire Chief Richard Mikel has been named 2018 Fire Chief of the Year by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, village officials said Tuesday.

"Chief Mikel has revitalized the department and enhanced the community through his incredible passion, dedication, and leadership." Mayor Craig Johnson said in an announcement of the award. "We are proud to see his efforts acknowledged and recognized with this prestigious honor."

Mikel won the award in the category of Career Fire Chief with a population over 25,000. He oversees a department of 94 full-time employees and four fire stations that provides fire protection to 33,000 residents, 22 shopping centers and the largest industrial park in North America.

Elk Grove hired Mikel as chief in 2012, after he spent the previous two years as the deputy fire chief of administration for Downers Grove. Before that, he served 26 years with the Naperville Fire Department, starting as a firefighter/paramedic and rising through the ranks to become the deputy fire chief of operations.

Mikel currently is overseeing the construction of two new fire stations, a $9.5 million, four-bay station serving the west side of the village, and a $15-million, four-bay station and training tower serving the village's industrial park. The new stations will replace facilities that are 42 and 47 years old, respectively, officials said. "Chief Mikel is highly valued by this community," Johnson said. "He has been proactive in reaching out to residents, businesses, schools and community organizations, and he continues to pursue new and innovative ways to provide for the health and safety of everyone in Elk Grove Village."

Mikel will receive the award at the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association Annual Conference in Peoria on Oct. 16.