New Chief Sworn In To Lead Batavia Fire Department

BATAVIA, IL — After serving as interim chief since January, following Chief Ranky Deicke's retirement, Craig Hanson has officially been appointed head of the department by Batavia City Council.

Hanson "has been instrumental in ensuring Batavia continues to be recognized for providing the highest standards of public safety" since joining the department in 2017 as deputy chief, city officials said.

Spearheading the department's efforts to be designated a Class 1 Insurance Services Organization Public Protection agency is among the new fire chief's accomplishments in Batavia.

Now as fire chief, Hanson will head the department's full-time and paid-on-call firefighters, paramedics and administrative personnel.

A firefighter and paramedic with a career spanning more than 40 years, it was making a difference in people's lives that drew Hanson toward a career in fire service, city officials said.

"I feel a great personal satisfaction when I can enjoy a sense of community by working to provide a quality of life for others and contributing to a hometown atmosphere," Hanson said in a statement. "I look forward to serving as this city’s fire chief and leading this exceptional department."

Before working in Batavia, Hanson served as assistant fire chief for the Elburn and Countryside Fire Protection District, as battalion chief in St. Charles and as a shift commander in Geneva.

Hanson, who grew up in Geneva, has degrees from Waubonsee Community College, Northern Illinois University and Benedictine University, where he received a master's in business administration.

"The citizens and businesses of Batavia are extremely fortunate to have Chief Hanson’s wealth of experience working for them," Mayor Jeffery Schielke said in a statement. "His extensive background in emergency service leadership can only enhance our already excellent fire department."