Veteran Union Grove-Yorkville Fire Department member Tim Allen has been selected as the department’s new chief, the joint Union Grove and Yorkville Fire Commission announced Friday.
Allen, a 30-year veteran of the department, has been assistant chief for 17 years. He will step into the role of chief March 1, replacing current Chief Tom Czerniak, who has been chief for 17 years.
“I was kind of born into this,” Allen, 48, said. “My dad did this for 35 years, so I’ve been around the fire service since I was born.”
Allen, who lives in Yorkville, grew up visiting the fire station with his father, who was assistant chief for the department for seven years. As soon as Allen turned 18, he joined the department. “I’ve been involved with this department for my entire adult life and my entire childhood,” Allen said.