Oswego Appoints New Fire Chief

OSWEGO, IL — After serving the Oswego Fire Department since 2002, John Cornish will be named the new fire chief. His swearing-in ceremony is set for June 14.

Trustees on Oswego's village board appointed Cornish to the new position June 1 after working with potential candidates. In a news release, Richard Kuhn, president of the board of trustees, said the district planned on hiring internally since Cornish and Deputy Chief Josh Flanders were "two excellent candidates that are extremely qualified."

Cornish will replace former Fire Chief Michael Veseling, whose contract wasn't renewed after "uncompromisable" issues arose with the board, Patch reported in April. Flanders, who has worked with the department for 18 years, was then appointed acting chief.

Before being promoted to fire chief, Cornish served as assistant chief since 2016. His first role in the department was as a volunteer with Volunteer Chief Brad Smith, who retired in 2011. He moved through the ranks over the years, holding positions in operations, in support services and on the Fire Prevention Bureau.

Cornish is a Marine Corps veteran of the Persian Gulf War and served at a Lake Michigan search and rescue station during his time on the United States Coast Guard.

"During his time here, he has seen the department grow into the large, full-time professional organization it is today," Kuhn said in a statement. "He has continually sought out educational and training opportunities during his career as he advanced through the ranks."

Cornish got his bachelor's degree in human resources at Lindenwood University in Missouri and received his master's degree in emergency management from Columbia Southern University in Alamaba.