The Sandoval Fire Protection District held a special dedication ceremony on Sunday welcoming a new vehicle and dedicating it in the name of long-time member and former Fire Chief Tom Nicolay.
Current Chief Chad Parson says after almost 20 years of planning, the fire district welcomed its newest truck, 9130 into operation. The 2021 Rosenbauer engine will replace a vehicle that is 38 years old. Parson says through fiscal responsibility and a savings plan instituted by the Board of Trustees, this new vehicle was added at no additional cost to the taxpayers of the Sandoval Fire Protection District.
Nicolay joined the Sandoval Fire Protection District in 1959. He was appointed the Fire Chief in 1970. During his tenure as Chief, he was one of the first in the EMT class in Southern Illinois in 1973 which laid the groundwork for the ambulance service that now provides service to over 2,000 persons in the Sandoval Fire Protection District. In 1979, he was one of the first to become an instructor of the Emergency Rescue Technician course in Illinois and went on to teach hundreds of first responders across Central and Southern Illinois. He was the first person appointed to the Firefighting Medal of Honor Commission by then-Governor Jim Thompson.
In 1991, he was recognized by the 91st Illinois General Assembly for all of the accomplishments he has made to the Fire Service of Illinois.
In 1996, he was recognized with the Robert Stipp Award for Lifetime Achievement, presented by the Illinois EMT Association.
He was elected as Marion County Coroner in 1996 and served in that capacity until 2012. Tom retired from the Sandoval Fire Protection District in 1998 after responding to over 10,000 calls during his membership and leadership, but his accomplishments and legacy continue to drive the Organization to betterment and excellence.
The Sandoval Fire Protection District extended its sincere gratitude to Tom Nicolay for the accomplishments and unrelenting service to the community he served and protected for over 39 years. Current Trustees Jeff Adams, Jeff Day, and Shea Hodge, and Fire Chief Chad Parson were thanked for their fiscal responsibility and leadership to provide the residents of the District with the safest and up-to-date equipment available.
Engine 9130 dedicated to long-time Fire Chief Tom Nicholay.
Sandoval’s new engine 9130.
