Sign handing over the entrance to the retirement dinner at the Greenview Country Club.
Centralia Fire Protection District Chief Greg Earle was honored by the state’s top fire officials as well as his own department at a retirement dinner attended by a large crowd Tuesday night at the Greenview Country Club.
Earle began his fire career as a volunteer in 1977 and after leaving for a few years returned as chief 24 years ago. He then rose in the ranks of the Illinois Fire Chief’s Association over the past 18 years culminating as President last year.
Among those in attendance was State Fire Marshal Matt Perez who met Earle shortly after he came to the state role from the Aurora Fire Department in suburban Chicago.
“Greg was a really big help in getting me to understand how and why things are done, manpower and equipment issues, and all the things I’ve tried to focus on to help those rural fire departments with those issues, equipment, education and training, vehicles….Greg was a big help in educating me on what they need and the best way to get it to them. He’s been a great help to me in helping me do my job but more importantly he has helped those rural departments in southern Illinois.”
Earle receives plaques and gifts from the fire marshal, several state fire organizations and from his own department.
Earle says he’s seen a lot of changes.
“Difference is day and night. I show these guys old pictures of the trucks and how we did things and it’s almost not recognizable. It’s all for the good. I guided them but they did all the work and got it done throughout the years. And it’s not just these guys, but everyone that has come through in the past. Sometimes things change, but we have a really good group of guys in here right now.”
One of the things Earle pushed for and got was state training at the local level, including at the Centralia Fire Protection District.
“Full training facility there and we are still adding on to it. Where you can train in house and bring the state classes down there and you can host them or you can take the classes and it puts you that further ahead on the training level and helps with the safety as well. That’s the key.”
Earle says he first got involved in the Illinois Fire Chief’s Association as an area rep because they wanted someone who wasn’t afraid to speak their mind. Earle’s year as President was marred by COVID-19 which canceled numerous events. But on the positive side, he says they learned how to do meetings remotely that will help save travel in the future. Earle says he will serve out his term as Past-President of the organization that continues until October.
When Earle retires July first, Ross Boshera will become interim chief of the Centralia Fire Protection District. As far as retirement plans, Earle says he still has a lot of work to complete in his final two days as chief.
State Fire Marshal Matt Perez presents a plaque of appreciation to retiring Centralia Fire Protection District Chief Greg Earle. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Centralia Fire Protection District firemen join retiring Chief Greg Earle for group photo. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
