Oak Lawn Names New Fire Chief And Deputy Fire Chief

OAK LAWN, IL -- Oak Lawn has a new fire chief and deputy fire chief. Village Manager Larry Deetjen announced the appointments of Michael Mavrogeorge to the position of chief, and Zachary Riddle as deputy fire chief. Mavrogeorge fills a vacancy left by George Sheets, who retired as fire chief in February.

Mavrogeorge has served the last ten years as fire chief and emergency management director of the St. Louis Downtown Airport. He currently serves as vice president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Great Lakes Division. Mavrogeorge is also an instructor at the University of the Illinois Fire Service Institute in the Special Operations Training Program since 2005; and an instructor for the National Center for Biomedical Research and Training at Louisiana State University.

“It is an absolute honor to lead the men and women of the Oak Lawn Fire and Rescue Department,” Mavrogeorge said in a news release. “I look forward to serving the village of Oak Lawn with honor and integrity.”

Riddle has served as the deputy chief of operations for the Bloomingdale Fire Protection District No. 1. Riddle rose through the ranks holding the positions of captain/acting shift commander in addition to other capacities for the Pleasantview Fire Protection District, serving the communities of Countryside, Indian Head Park, Hodgkins and parts of Burr Ridge, Willowbrook and LaGrange-Highlands. Riddle is also a career officer achieving the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, and served as chief of staff in the 303rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade with assignments overseas.

“I am honored and humbled to join the long standing heritage of duty, pride and tradition of the Oak Lawn Fire and Rescue Department,” Riddle said. “Chief Mavrogeorge and I look forward to building our cornerstone of leadership, values and attributes as we continue excellent for our residents, neighbors and visitors to the Village of Oak Lawn.

The village manager said Mavrogeorge and Riddle both bring “results oriented records” to Oak Lawn and believe “the community and citizens are first.” Deetjen added that the new appointees are also fully aware of the village fire department’s “recent personnel and collective bargaining history.”

“Under Chief Mavrogeorge and Deputy Chief Riddle’s leadership, honesty will not be compromised and core values will be embraced and displayed in the court of daily duties,” Deetjen said. [They] will exploit opportunities and partnerships when such actions complement customer service and the village’s mission and fiscal constraints. They will stress forging better relationships with other village departments and embrace technology when such advances are in the best interests of our citizenry.”

Mavrogeorge and Riddle will be sworn in during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting on June 12. They will begin their new jobs the next day.