La Grange Fire Chief Leaving After Half Year

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange's fire chief is resigning Friday to take a chief's job in another fire department, the village announced Monday.

Steve Norvilas, the retired chief of the Pleasantview Fire Protection District, has served as La Grange's chief since June 26, less than six months ago.

Taking Norvilas' place is Dan Reda, deputy chief of the Tinley Park Fire Department, Village President Mark Kuchler said at Monday's Village Board meeting.

"We want to thank and give best wishes to Chief Norvilas," Kuchler said. "Steve hasn't been with us a very long time, but he's made an impact in his time here. He has made great strides in empowering staff and providing them with guidance and leadership."

Norvilas is becoming the chief of the North Palos Fire Protection District, effective Jan. 1, according to the village of La Grange.

Reda will become chief on Monday, Kuchler said.

The fire chief's position became open last December when then-Chief Terry Vavra, who took the helm in 2019, reached the mandatory retirement age of 65.

At the time, La Grange hired the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association to help recruit a new chief.

Village Manager Jack Knight said in a message to Patch that the two highest-scoring candidates for chief were invited back for interviews. The most qualified was Reda, Knight said.