Evanston Fire Chief Paul Polep will retire this month, according to a Monday news release from the city. His last day as fire chief will be May 21.
Polep has been with the Evanston Fire Department for nearly 30 years. In 1996, he began his service as a firefighter/paramedic. After a series of promotions, he was appointed fire chief in April 2021, replacing retired Fire Chief Brian Scott.
“I extend my deepest appreciation to my fellow members and the community for its support throughout the years,” Polep wrote in Monday’s news release.
In the news release, the city commended his work in strengthening the department’s emergency response within the community.
During his tenure, Polep worked on a series of initiatives, including the addition of a third ambulance to the fire department’s fleet and the merging of lakefront lifeguards into the fire department.
In summer 2021, the fire department absorbed the lakefront lifeguarding program in response to reports of sexual harassment. Under Polep, the fire department hired a new direct supervisor of lifeguards and created a new lifeguard curriculum.
An interim fire chief has not yet been announced.
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