Homewood trustees Anderson and Bueck 2017-11-28 054
Local News

New hires and promotions recognized at Homewood trustees meeting Tuesday

Two local families continued their tradition of service to the Homewood Fire Department as they marked promotions for firefighters at the Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday. In all, four firefighters and two public works employees took oaths of office at the meeting.

Two local families continued their tradition of service to the Homewood Fire Department as they marked promotions for firefighters at the Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday.

  Larry Lipinski, right, 
  receives congratulations 
  from Jessica Salvador, 
  deputy village clerk, 
  after taking the oath 
  of office for the rank 
  of captain.
(Photos by 
  Quincy Crump/H-F 
  Chronicle)
 

Larry Lipinski took the oath of office for achieving the rank of captain. His late father, Leonard Lipinski, retired from the department as deputy chief. 

Larry joined the department in September 1979 and became a career firefighter in September 1991, according to Fire Chief Bob Grabowski. 

He graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor High School and from Illinois State University. His state fire service certifications include Advanced Firefighter, Fire Officer 1 and Fire Apparatus Engineer.

He was promoted to lietenant in June. 

  Jason Presnak, left, receives 
  congratulations from 
  Jessica Salvador after 
  taking the oath of office 
  for the rank of lieutenant. 

 

Jason Presnak was sworn in as lieutenant. He is following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. His father, Ray Presnak, retired as fire chief.

Jason was hired as a career firefighter in 2002. He has an associate’s degree in fire science from Prairie State College. His state certifications include Advanced Firefighter, Fire Officer 1 and Fire Officer 2. He is a past member of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System 24 (MABAS) dive and technical rescue teams.

The department also welcomed two new members. 

  Dave Vitolka, left, and 
  Kyle Paczesny take the 
  oath of office as new 
  firefighter/paramedics 
  with the Homewood 
  Fire Department.

 

Kyle Paczesny and Dave Vitolka were sworn in as firefighter/paramedics.

Paczesny previously served with the Matteson Fire Department and has six years of experience. He has an associate’s degree in fire science.

Vitolka began preparing for his fire service career when he was 12. After career stints in automotive repair and landscaping, he returned to fire service, Grabowski said. He has been a part-time employee in Homewood for three years and is beginning his full-time career.

  James Anderson, left, 
  shakes hands with 
  Jessica Salvador after 
  he and Robert Bueck, 
  center, took the oath 
  of office as new staff 
  members of the 
  Homewood Public Works
  Department. 

 

The Public Works Department also welcomed two new staff members.

James Anderson, who has five years of experience working in snow removal, road repair, road construction, landscaping and carpentry, was sworn in as a street maintenance worker.

Robert Beuck has five years of experience in street maintenance, water main repairs, water valve servicing and water maini repairs. He was sworn in as a utility maintenance worker.

The promotions and new hires were made possible by two retirements from the department, Grabowski said. Captains Scott Moran and Tim Cameron stepped down recently. Moran served for 25 years and Cameron for 20 years.

In other business, the board reappointed Robert Pascarella to the Community Relations Committee.

 

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