Frankfort Fire Trustees Hire Illinois Fire Chiefs Association to Assist in Chief Search; One Trustee Dissents

Frankfort Fire Protection District Meeting | November 18, 2025

Article Summary: The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees has voted to engage the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association to assist with the assessment process for a new Fire Chief. The decision comes after weeks of intensive closed-door deliberations regarding the leadership transition.

Frankfort Fire Protection District Key Points:

• External Assistance: The Board approved a proposal to use the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association’s assessment services to help select a permanent leader.

• Split Vote: The motion passed with a 4-1 vote, with Trustee Patricia Field voting against the measure.

• Ongoing Search: The decision follows a series of lengthy special meetings held throughout October focused on the chief replacement process.

The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, took a formal step forward in the search for a permanent Fire Chief by voting to hire the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association to conduct an assessment process.

The vote took place during the Board’s regular monthly meeting at Fire Station Number Seventy-One. While the motion to engage the association’s services passed, it was not unanimous. Trustees Robert Boll, Justin Lohrens, James McGeever, Jr., and Board President Nicholas Spano voted in favor of the measure. Trustee Patricia Field cast the sole “nay” vote.

The decision to bring in the outside association follows a month of heavy deliberation. In October alone, the Board spent more than 11 hours in closed sessions discussing the interview and assessment protocols for the position.

Later in the Tuesday meeting, the Board once again retreated into closed session to discuss the executive search. Trustees met privately from 5:36 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. regarding the “Executive Search and Assessment Process.” Unlike the vote to hire the association, which occurred during the open business portion of the meeting, no action was taken immediately following the closed session.

Interim Fire Chief Paul Kinsella continues to lead the department while the search for a permanent replacement proceeds.