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Lives in:: Hanover Park

Department:: Hanover Park

Title/rank:: Fire Chief

Years of public service:: 25

Agency structure:: Paid fire department

Professional Qualifications:: B.S. -- Fire and Safety Engineering Technology, Graduate of NFA Executive Fire Officer Program, Accredited Chief Fire Officer, Member Institute of Fire Engineers, Nationally Registered Paramedic

Topics you provide training for:: Coordinated Fire Attack, Engine Company Operations, Physiologic Response to Heat Stess and the Role of Rehab, Officer Development

Bio:: Craig A. Haigh, a 25-year veteran of the fire service, is Chief of the Hanover Park (IL) Fire Department and a Field Staff Instructor with the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute. Chief Haigh began his career at 16 years of age as a Reserve Firefighter with the Hampton (IL) Volunteer Fire Department being promoted through the ranks to the position of Fire Chief. After graduation from paramedic school, he was hired as a career firefighter with the Rock Island (IL) Fire Department and served both Rock Island and Hampton until 1995. While at Rock Island, he served as the Department’s first EMS Coordinator and was responsible for the development, implementation, and management of their paramedic services. He is also credited with the development and implementation of the EMT-Intermediate program at Hampton Volunteer Fire Department.
In 1995 he was appointed Fire Chief of the King (NC) Fire Department. Chief Haigh was hired specifically to lead the transition from an all volunteer department to a department operating with a combination of volunteer and full-time firefighters. While in North Carolina, Chief Haigh served as the primary architect of the merger between King Fire Protection District and the City of King.
In 2002 Chief Haigh returned to Illinois to lead the Hanover Park Fire Department. He commands a combined combination staff of 50 career and part-time firefighters and 25 Fire Corp members. Under his direction the department has increased staffing, implemented a paramedic engine program, reorganized the command staff including the addition of shift battalion chiefs, designed and constructed a new headquarters fire station, and implemented a Mobile Data Computer program linked to dispatch and the Village RMS system. Chief Haigh is also credited with the development of the departments Chaplain program and the Emergency Incident Rehabilitation Program managed by the Villages Fire Corp Rehabilitation Team. He served as a content expert for development of the Illinois Department of Public Health EMT-Intermediate Exam, and is the Chief Liaison assigned to the MABAS Division XII Chaplains.
Chief Haigh is a Nationally Registered Paramedic and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology. He is an accredited Chief Fire Officer through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, a Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers and a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program. He is the co-author of the State of North Carolina Region I Certified EMS Preceptor Program and served as a Board Member of the Northwest North Carolina Chapters of the American Red Cross. Additionally he co-authored the Illinois Fire Service Institute/Salvation Army Fire Ground Rehabilitation Course and is the co-coordinator of the Illinois Fire Service Institute Engine Company Operations Course. Chief Haigh is an FDIC HOT Instructor and has presented at numerous national, state and local conferences and trainings. He has authored several fire service training and management articles published in fire service trade journals. He is married to his wife Beth and has a daughter Melody and a son Lee.

Web site:: http://www.hanoverparkillinois.org

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At 9:22pm on December 1, 2008, Rick Fritz said…: WHAT EVER HAPPEND TO UNZEL?

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