Deputy Chief

Deputy Chief Nicholson was appointed to the Department in December 2007. He immediately distinguished himself as an excellent firefighter and paramedic and has received a company citation for his work in saving the life of a patient suffering a cardiac emergency, along with numerous letters of thanks from residents and other public safety agencies, and also was awarded a commendation for participation in the Smarter Research Project.

Deputy Chief Nicholson graduated from Elgin Community College with an Associate’s degree in Fire Science & Safety with High Honors and from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s in Public Safety Management, Cum Laude.

Deputy Chief Nicholson is the developer of the Department’s Field Training Officer Program and built a formal written department training plan. He has also held responsibility for all probationary firefighter testing and hiring and has made the final recommendation for firefighters moving from probationary to permanent appointment.

Chief Nicholson serves as the department’s second-in-command/executive officer and will manage all operational aspects of the department.