Ron Lucarini, Chicago Heights POC Fire Chief Retires

The fire jacket hung by the office door. It would be the last time the jacket would be at Station 1 in Chicago Heights.

Last week, Ron Lucarini, Paid on Call Fire Chief retired after 40 years of service to the community.

“I walked into the fire house to see if I liked it, I stayed for 40 years,” Ron said.

Fighting back tears, Ron was reading a written speech, stopped ripped up the speech and said “ Heck with this, this is not me”. Ron then began to speak from his heart and thanked the people who he’s served and who he served with.

“I have a lot of great stories I can relate to,” said Ron. “One of the good memories was an outcome of a fire on 14th street. A lady named Frankie lost her husband in a house fire. She had her life savings in a paper bag. The roof caved in and every thing was impassable. Chief Puinti and myself went inside. I kicked some wood away that was blocking the flow of water. As the water was leaving the second floor, here comes a paper bag with her life savings. We gave it to her and she hugged us both so tight and couldn’t thank us enough.”

Almost a hundred Chicago Heights paid firefighters, POC firefighters and past firefighters stopped by to wish Ronnie well in his new journey.

“At one time over 3/4 of the paid department came from the paid on call. I just hope that all the men and women that went through the p.o.c's know it was my goal to have made an influence in their lives” Ronnie added.

Mementos from Ronnie’s career filled two tables in the firehouse. There were many photos from newspapers of Ronnie fighting fires, toy fire engines and awards. One of the most treasured is a thank you letter from then President Ronald Reagan. The President thanked Ronnie for his service while the President visited Chicago Heights back on June 28th 1985.

Chicago Heights Fire Chief Jeffrey Springer presented Ron with an award from the Office of the Illinois State Marshal and the Chicago Heights Fire Department.

Regrets for Ron, there is one.

“There was a house fire right down the street from # 1 station” recalls Ronnie. “I was the first one at the house. Myself and a police officer tried to go in the back door, i got down to crawl into the kitchen but the heat and smoke were to intense. After the fire was out, i went back into the kitchen and I was about two feet away from one child. I felt really bad. I kept thinking if only i could have held my breath for a few more seconds maybe i could have gotten him out. He and his two other brothers died.”

Ron Lucarini has lived on “The Hill” in Chicago Heights his whole life. Next time you see Ronnie, shake his hand and thank him for serving the people of Chicago Heights and beyond.