Greg Berk_web
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Former Flossmoor fire chief appointed to post on interim basis

Flossmoor village board members unanimously selected Greg Berk as interim fire chief at Monday’s board meeting. Berk, who previously held the chief’s position for 25 years, will serve in the role for up to a year and is expected to start in mid-April.

Flossmoor village board members unanimously selected Greg Berk as interim fire chief at Monday’s board meeting. 

Greg Berk

Berk, who previously held the chief’s position for 25 years, will serve in the role for up to a year and is expected to start in mid-April.

He replaces former chief Chris Sewell, who retired in January. 

Mayor Paul Braun said the village needs someone with an exemplary background and education like Berk at this time, as it faces the challenges offered by COVID-19. 

“We have a need at this point for an interim chief especially given the current circumstances with the pandemic,” Braun said. “So we think Mr. Berk is an excellent person to step in and provide leadership on an interim basis for the fire department.”

Berk joined the Flossmoor Fire Department in 1967 as a volunteer and went on to serve as the village’s first full-time fire chief for more than two decades. Following his 2003 retirement from the Flossmoor department, he served as fire chief in Wheaton for 10 years and as interim chief in Roselle for six months.

“Having spent as many years in fire service that I have, I love the fire service,” Berk noted in a news release. “Being back in with the firefighters, being back with the village is an exciting challenge. I’m really looking forward to getting back into Flossmoor, serving our residents and fulfilling the needs of the fire department.” 

Berk carries the executive fire officer designation from the National Fire Academy. He also received a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree from Governors State University. 

Berk’s appointment is an important step in adapting to the COVID-19 situation, Village Manager Bridget Wachtel said. 

“As the village adjusts to meet the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic ramifications that are expected to follow, the appointment of an interim chief allows us to ride out this storm, so to speak, before undertaking a full recruitment process for a permanent chief,” Wachtel said.

“I know that the impacts of this global crisis are especially difficult on first responders and I know that Chief Berk’s professionalism, experience and leadership will be a steadying force for all of us.”

Board members took the action at their first totally remote meeting during the pandemic crisis. Community members could listen to the meeting via a phone hookup.

Matt Berk, the interim chief’s son, is a captain on the Flossmoor Fire Department and serves as its training officer.

Keith Damm, the fire department’s assistant chief, will continue to serve as its second-in-command.

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