Hinsdale Interim Chief Says Why He's Leaving

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale's interim fire chief told the village last month that he was leaving because the village was eliminating his position.

Jon Carlson, the deputy chief since 2021, was promoted to interim chief after Chief John Giannelli retired April 5.

On March 19, the Village Board took its first vote to do away with the deputy chief's position. Officials said they review staffing when a major retirement such as the chief's is pending. The board took a final vote for the elimination April 16.

On April 14, Carlson informed Village President Tom Cauley in a letter that he planned to retire May 30.

"I understand the difficulty my retirement places on both the fire department and the village," Carlson said. "However, my personal decision is to leave as the Deputy Chief before the position is eliminated."

Carlson did not return an emailed message for comment on Tuesday.

In axing the deputy chief's position, the Village Board set the effective date for May 31, which Carlson praised.

"I believe that delaying the effective date is a wise decision that will benefit both the village and the fire department," he said. "During these final days, I will continue to work diligently and will do what I can to make the transition as smooth as possible."

This week, the board voted to appoint Jeffrey Pindelski as the interim chief, starting Friday. He retired as chief of the Downers Grove Fire Department in 2021.

Carlson started at the Hinsdale Fire Department 26 years ago. In his letter, he said the years at the department were the best of his life.

"Serving and helping people in times of crisis was why I chose to be a firefighter; the profession has served me well," Carlson said. "I am confident that you will quickly fill in any void that I have left."

During Village Board meetings in March and April, two residents told the board they opposed eliminating the deputy chief's position. One of them was Margaret Woulfe Arens, who heads the village's Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.

At Tuesday's board meeting, Arens spoke again. She referred to a letter from former Fire Chief Patrick Kenny, saying it was about the role of deputy fire chief.

Patch has filed a public records request with the village for that letter.