Hinsdale Swears In Firefighters, Police Officers

HINSDALE, IL — On June 12, the Hinsdale Village Board recognized several public safety employees who were either promoted or sworn in: Firefighter/Paramedic Steven Tullis was promoted to the position of Fire Lieutenant; Firefighter/Paramedics Michael Lorusso and Sergio Navarro were sworn in to the fire department; and Police Officer Matthew Root was sworn in to the police department.

The village said it also recognized the retirements of Fire Captain Kevin Votava, Fire Lieutenant Donald
Newberry, and the 25-year service anniversary of Police Officer Steven Ruban.

Lieutenant Tullis began his career with the Hinsdale Fire Department in 2005, according to the village. He is the department’s Public Information Officer, a peer fitness trainer, runs the Citizens Fire Academy with Firefighter/Paramedic James Nichols, creates the department’s annual report, is a CPR instructor, helps manage the annual charity softball event, and manages the department’s complete inventory of hose and water appliances. Tullis is also very active with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, volunteering his time to write, speak and present to departments and family members who experienced a line of duty death.

Firefighter/Paramedic Lorusso grew up in Roselle and attended Lake Park High School, where he played football and excelled in academics. The village said Lorusso has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from the College of DuPage. He is an Illinois licensed paramedic. He obtained his advanced firefighter training from the NIPSTA Fire Academy and is certified by the Illinois State Fire Marshall's Office. Lorusso worked for the Roselle Fire Department as a Firefighter/Paramedic and has worked for Elmhurst Hospital as a Paramedic Technician.

Firefighter/Paramedic Navarro grew up in Los Angeles and later attended Bolingbrook High School. He has an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from College of DuPage, and graduated with academic honors. The village said Navarro obtained his training in Basic Operations Firefighter and Advance Technician Firefighter at the NIPSTA Fire Academy, and completed his paramedic training at Edward Hospital in Naperville. Navarro is a certified advanced Firefighter and Illinois State Licensed Paramedic.

Police Officer Root was hired by the Village in December of 2017. The village said he recently graduated from the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy, obtaining a certification as a Police Officer and is now in the Field Training and Evaluation Program. Matthew has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University.

The village also recognized the retirement of Captain Votava, who was a member of the Fire Department for over 33 years, and was the first licensed paramedic to join the department. The village said Votava held the ranks of Lieutenant, Deputy Chief, Training Officer, Captain, and Emergency Management coordinator. Votava has an Associate’s degree in Fire Science, and a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science Management, and completed the Illinois Fire Chief’s Chief Fire Officer Program. In 2016, Votava was a recipient of the prestigious Hartman Award, which was given by the Good Samaritan Hospital EMS system to members of the fire department for saving the life of a construction worker.

Lieutenant Newberry was a 28-year member of the Fire Department and was a Paramedic for 29 years. The village said he has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from the College of DuPage and has logged over 120 hours of classwork at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He received the prestigious Hartman award from Good Samaritan Hospital for outstanding paramedic performance twice during his career. Newberry completed his Chief Fire Officer Certification from the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, as a provisional status, and received a 100 Club award, as well as a Unit citation, in 2013 for the rescue of a resident from a structure fire.

Lastly, the village recognized police officer Steven Ruban was recognized for 25 years of service to the village. Ruban started his career with the Village as a 911 dispatcher. He also worked as a Meter Enforcement Officer
and a Community Service Officer. The village said Ruban was hired as a police officer in 1991. He has
worked as a Field Training Officer and oversees the vehicle seizure program.

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