Terry Vavra's Page

Residence.

Lake Zurich, Illinois

Department:

Buffalo Grove Fire Department

Title/rank:

Chief

Years of public service:

32

Agency structure:

Paid fire department

Top issues in your department:

Maintaining manpower under tight budgetary constraints

Professional Qualifications:

Masters Degree in Management and Organizational Behavior, Fire Officer 3 with Illinois OSFM, National Instructor in Safety Officer Role

Topics you provide training for:

Management, Leadership, Safety Officer

Areas of expertise:

Safety Officer

Bio:

Vavra is a thirty-two year veteran of the fire service. He began as a paid on call firefighter in 1976 and became a career firefighter and paramedic for Lisle Woodridge Fire District, Illinois in 1979. He retired from Lisle Woodridge at the rank of Deputy Chief after more than 28 years of full time service serving as Company Officer, Training Safety Officer and Battalion Chief. Currently he is the Fire Chief for the Buffalo Grove Fire Department in Illinois. He has taught classes in firefighter safety, management and operations throughout the country and internationally. He has had several articles published in trade magazines and assisted in the development of the class “Preparing the Fireground Safety Officer” and continues to teach the class. Terry has instructed hundreds of students from recruit firefighters to Chief Officers across the country. Chief Vavra holds two Associates Degrees, a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master of Science degree in Management and Organizational Behavior. He is a charter member of the Fire Department Safety Officers and a member of the Illinois Fire Chiefs and International Association of Fire Chiefs.

Web site:

http://www.vbg.org