West Dundee selects veteran firefighter to lead department

A veteran firefighter who grew up in West Dundee has been named the village's new fire chief.

Mike Spiro, who currently serves as a battalion chief in Buffalo Grove, will take over next month as West Dundee's fire chief. He replaces Lance Harris, who recently was named the new chief for Arlington Heights.

Spiro, 45, got his start in firefighting at age 14 as an Explorer with the Carpentersville Fire Department. He also served with the East Dundee and West Dundee fire departments before joining Buffalo Grove, where he has worked for 22 years.

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the residents and businesses of West Dundee as their next fire chief," said Spiro, who grew up in West Dundee and currently lives in Carpentersville. "I look forward to leading the West Dundee Fire Department and its members as it continues to grow, and we will strive to continue to provide exceptional services to the residents of West Dundee."

Spiro has also worked for the village of West Dundee for the past 20 years as the village's IT administrator, Village Manager Joseph Cavallaro said in a news release.

"His work ethic, dedication and competencies are well known," Cavallaro said.

Spiro said he will continue to serve in that role and oversee the village's IT operations, which largely include public safety functions such as dispatch, radios, squad and computer equipment.

"Chief Spiro has been an important part of this organization since 2000," Village President Christopher Nelson said, referring to Spiro's service as the village's IT administrator. "His knowledge of the community and the organization will be instrumental in continuing to provide the best fire and EMS services to West Dundee."

Spiro will start his role as West Dundee fire chief on Aug. 10 at a salary of $144,000. He will be the fifth chief for the village since the creation of the village's fire department in 1980. He will be sworn in as chief at the Aug. 15 village board meeting.