6 promotions, 1 retirement end transition period for Hoffman Estates Fire Department

A transitional period for the Hoffman Estates Fire Department ended this week with the promotions of six officers and the retirement of the acting chief.

The promotions, including two to the rank of deputy chief, were enabled by the recent hiring of retired Des Plaines fire chief Alan Wax to be Hoffman Estates' new chief beginning July 6.

Wax, who already has 40 years of experience in the fire service, was recruited through a national search that began after Eric Palm became Hoffman Estates village manager in February and Fire Chief Patrick Fortunato retired in November.

Deputy Chief Paul Bilodeau, who served as acting chief during the seven months between Fortunato's and Wax's tenures, retired himself the day after the six new officers were promoted.

"I also want to give a special shout out to Chief Bilodeau," Mayor Bill McLeod said during the swearing-in ceremony. "He stepped up to become acting chief when we needed an acting chief, and we really appreciate it."

Captains Patrick Clarke and David Ganzio became deputy chiefs, lieutenants Daniel Pearson and Alan O'Brien became captains, and firefighter/paramedics Jason Loeb and Thomas Zito became lieutenants.

Though the village board's meeting room usually has been sparsely populated since the start of the pandemic, it was packed with masked family members and colleagues of the promoted officers as they were sworn in by the mayor.

"It's great to see people rise up through the ranks and continue their journey in their career as firefighters," McLeod said. "Congratulations to everybody."

Wax added his own praise as well.

"We know these guys will work hard for the village and the community," he said, "and we thank you for your support today."