Hoffman Estates fire chief to step down

Hoffman Estates Fire Chief Kevin Rynders is leaving to his top post to take an assistant chief position with the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Department.

March 3 will mark the end of his more than 28 years with the Hoffman Estates Fire Department.

"I am extremely proud of this fire department, especially the personnel that work their firehouse shift and make a difference to so many people by easing the pain or suffering during an emergency," Rynders said. "And they usually receive minimal recognition for what they do."

Rynders said part of the reason for leaving is that he has nearly maxed out the pension he can get from working in Hoffman Estates -- a firefighter reaches the maximum, an annual payment of 75 percent of his or her salary, after 30 years within one department.

State law allows Rynders to collect his pension from Hoffman Estates while earning salary from Algonquin-Lake in the Hills, said village firefighter pension board President Jim Oskroba.

Over at Algonquin-Lake in the Hills, Rynders will be one of two assistant chiefs and will oversee operations. Algonquin recently opened a state-of-the art fire station, drawing raves from fire departments nationwide.

"Our town has gotten bigger over the course of several years and we're at the point where we're running more calls than we were in the past," said Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Chief Steve Guetschow.

Rynders became Hoffman Estates fire chief in 2004 after joining the department on July 23, 1979, as a firefighter-paramedic. He promoted to lieutenant in 1983, captain in 1998 and battalion chief in 2002. A West Dundee native, he was the first internally promoted chief in 20 years. He succeeded James Eaves, who retired.

Rynders said he was proud of instituting the school fire safety education curriculum in 1981 as the department's public education officer. It's still in use today.

Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod said the search for a replacement could take a while, but the fire department had several candidates who, at the very least, could serve as an acting chief.

"Kevin's done a great job for the village of Hoffman Estates working up the ranks," McLeod said. "He's covered all facets of the department; Algonquin-Lake in the Hills is fortunate to have him."

Village Manager James Norris will be in charge of hiring a new fire chief, McLeod said, adding he's unsure if a successor would be promoted or found from an outside department. Norris said the village will advertise the job, but no decision has been made if the successor will come internally or externally.