Members of the Rockford Fire & Police Commission have named veteran firefighter Brian Carlson interim fire chief effective July 9.
After 32 years with the department, Rockford Fire Chief Michele Pankow is leaving to become the first woman in the state of Illinois to serve as the State Fire Marshal. Gov. JB Pritzker appointed her to the post in early June.
Carlson has served as a Rockford firefighter for 27 years. He currently is division chief of administration, responsible for managing administrative functions of the department to ensure efficient operations that “support field operations, community programs and organizational goals,” a news release said.
Those who serve as interim chief are not allowed under Commission rules to apply for the permanent position of chief. Rockford’s three-member Fire & Police Commission will begin a search for Rockford next fire chief in the coming weeks.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford commission names interim fire chief
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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