The New Lenox Fire Protection District (NLFPD) Commissioners recently approved the promotion of a Battalion Chief and Lieutenant to fill current vacancies. Both promoted individuals will begin their new roles on June 27th.

The new Battalion Chief is Ryan Hall; he has been in the fire service for 20 years, 15 of those with the NLFPD. Currently, he serves the district as the Lieutenant at Station 3 on Black Shift and is a fire/arson investigator. Hall has also been EMS Coordinator, CART Team member and the Firefighter Union Treasurer.

The new Lieutenant is Joseph Ward. He has been in the fire service for 9 years, all of those with the New Lenox Fire Protection District. He has been an active member with the district and served as Dive Team Captain, Water Rescue, Red Shift Union Steward, and was a Cadet mentor. He most recently was the Engineer for Engine 63 on Red Shift.

“These promotions were all well-deserved,” stated NLFPD Chief Adam Riegel. “Both Ryan Hall and Joe Ward have worked extremely hard to get to where they are, and we couldn’t be prouder of them for their efforts.”

The Battalion Chief and Lieutenant had to go through an assessment center conducted by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association to be then placed on an eligibility list. Each list is good for three years, and then the process is gone through again. When positions are vacated, the district promotes candidates from these lists.

The primary mission of the New Lenox Fire and Ambulance Protection District is to provide a range of programs designed to protect the lives and property within New Lenox Village and Township from the effects for fires and sudden medical emergencies or exposure to dangerous conditions created by man or nature with professional, compassionate, and quality service.