Village Hosts Swearing-In Ceremony for Firefighters

The officially welcomed its newest firefighter during a swearing-in ceremony at the Jan. 4 village board meeting. 

The event recognized the department’s four newest members, as well as two new full-time battalion chiefs, Fire Chief Kent Adams said. The event was the first for Romeoville since 2008.

Four firefighter/paramedics were sworn in, including latest recruit Robert Rymsza Jr., who graduated in 2011 as valedictorian of the ’s Basic Operations Firefighter program.

Also recognized were firefighter/paramedics Andrew Clow, a full-time Romeoville firefighter since 2008; Barbara Dibbern, who was hired as a part-time Romeoville firefighter in 2006 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2009; and Michael Spradau, who started as a part-time firefighter in 2008 and went full time in September 2010.

The department also welcomed two new full-time battalion chiefs. Previously, the position was part time, according to Adams.

Jon Ibrahim and Mike Veseling were named to the the new full-time positions in October 2011.

Ibrahim, hired in 1991 as a part-time Romeoville firefighter/EMT, became a part-time battalion chief in 2004 and is director of operations for the Romeoville Fire Academy. Veseling is a veteran firefighter and fire academy instructor who has worked with the Elk Grove, Carol Stream, Sugar Grove and Naperville fire departments, Adams said.