Fire Chief honored for 45 years of service

Smoke and fire were present at the ComEd station along Pine Bluff Road in Morris on Sunday, April 8. But it wasn’t an emergency.

The activity was part of the annual Chief Shabbona Fire School, an ongoing educational program for local fire departments.

This year’s event hosted 70 students from 15 departments, with attendees participating in basic firemanship classes, hands-on auto extrication classes, a flashover simulator, and other hands-on and classroom activities.

“We’re it, there’s nobody else to call, so we want to make sure you’re on top of your game,” Chief Shabbona President and Coal City Fire Chief Jim Sheldon told the participants. “The Chief Shabbona Fire Academy has been here since 1948, and has graduated well over 300 firefighters. It was created to provide high quality training to volunteer firefighters so that they can become state certified firefighters.”

But Sheldon had more to offer than the history of the fire school.

In a surprise move, the academy offered a special plaque in recognition of Braidwood Fire Chief Ken Heberer, who has been a member of the department since 1972.

After 45 years in the service, Heberer will retire as chief this June.

“Ken Heberer didn’t want anything to be done, so we are surprising him today, he’s retiring June 1,” Sheldon said. “Chief Heberer has been very instrumental in helping to develop the curriculum, instructing some of the programs, working behind the scenes, to make sure that this academy, this pow wow, everything with the Chief Shabbona association, has been successful. In 2012 he took on a leadership role, where he served as our secretary and treasurer.”

Sheldon said that Heberer has been a great sounding board to other members of the association, due to his knowledge of the history of the association.

“He’s a great listener who wears his heart on his sleeve,” Sheldon said. “He always has the association’s best interest in mind when he’s making his decisions. Chief Heberer, you have truly been a friend, a leader who has inspired many who look upon you with great admiration.”

In addition to special plaque, Heberer was also presented with a Chief Shabbona t-shirt emblazoned with the logo of his favorite baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals.

Sheldon also took a moment to honor Braidwood Fire Department Safety Officer Charlie Boyd, one of the main organizers of the fire school each year, for his efforts in putting the annual event together.