Prospect Heights Fire Chief Drew Smith was sworn in last month as the department's fifth chief in its 72-year history. It came after a 35-year career with the department, including the last 16 as deputy chief. But, more than the numbers, Smith says the appointment was a dream come true. He met with Prospect Heights residents for the first time as chief during an open house Saturday and wrote a letter expressing his vision for the department in its latest newsletter.
"When I joined the department, it was an all-volunteer fire department," Smith said. "It would not be until 1985 that paramedic ambulance service would come to our city, and another 10 more years until the majority of the city would be united into a single fire protection district.