When it came to choosing the fire service as a career, Lombard’s Fire Chief Rick Sander shared that “I come from a family of public servants, so serving others was something I was exposed to from an early age,” therefore it seemed natural that he would follow in their footsteps—which led to his eventually becoming Lombard’s fire chief, where he has served for 10 years.
Public service runs in the family
His grandfather was the fire chief in Harvey, he noted, saying that his grandfather had “a tremendous influence on me and played a significant role in my decision to pursue a career in the fire service.”
“Growing up, I had the opportunity to see firsthand the dedication, responsibility and commitment that came with serving a community. His example inspired me to follow a similar path and ultimately devote my career to helping others through the fire service,” Sander added.
According to a village news release, Sander served with fire departments in Harvey, Aurora, Oak Brook and Naperville, the latter of which he joined in 1990 as a firefighter-paramedic and became deputy chief in 2011. He was hired as Lombard’s fire chief in October 2016.
Challenges, rewards and accomplishments
During his tenure as chief, he has faced numerous challenges—and rewards as well, Sander related.
The challenges include his own admitted standard of setting the bar high for himself, and learning from expectations he felt he didn’t meet.
“However, those experiences taught me some of the most valuable lessons of my career,” he said. “Through trial and error, learning from my mistakes, and continually challenging myself to improve, I became the person and leader I am today.”
Another challenge he had to confront was “navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. The fire service was faced with circumstances unlike anything we had experienced before.”
In addition to difficulty in obtaining personal protective equipment, Sander recalled how “information and recommendations were changing almost daily, and we constantly had to adapt how we responded to calls and treated patients while keeping our firefighters, paramedics and their families safe.”
“It required flexibility, patience and strong leadership during a time of tremendous uncertainty,” he continued. “Looking back, the pandemic was one of the most challenging periods of my career, but it also reinforced the importance of teamwork, adaptability and staying calm and focused when faced with circumstances beyond your control.”
Throughout his career in Lombard—and in the midst of his self-imposed challenges and crafting the department’s response to the pandemic—Sander “oversaw significant investments in the department, including the replacement of aging fire apparatus, improvements to firefighter training and equipment and enhancements to emergency medical services,” the release outlines. “He also supported expanded community safety and education efforts, and strengthened partnerships with neighboring fire departments and regional agencies.”
Sander modestly did not mention those accomplishments, instead focusing on the personnel he worked with, saying, “The biggest rewards of my career have come from seeing the members of my team give their very best, whether responding to an emergency, helping citizens during a difficult time or simply giving a tour of the fire station and making a positive impression on someone in the community.”
“Knowing that our efforts could make a difference in someone’s life, even in a small way, is incredibly rewarding,” he added.
Additionally, “One of the greatest personal rewards of my career was being selected to serve as Lombard’s fire chief through a national search process,” Sander shared.
Looking ahead
As for what’s next, Sander said he plans to spend time at his lake house, do some travelling and spend time with his children and grandchildren.
However, he doesn’t intend to stop being of service to others: “I hope to continue finding meaningful ways to give back to my community,” Sander said. While he looks forward to making new memories, he plans on “continuing contributing in ways that are meaningful to me.”
Sander said he is leaving with confidence “in the future of the Lombard Fire Department. We have developed strong leaders,” and added that he believes the department has “an outstanding group of firefighters/paramedics who are committed to serving the community.”
“I know there are people within the organization who are prepared to step forward, accept the responsibility of leadership and continue the tradition of excellence that has made this department such an important part of the Lombard community,” Sander emphasized.
“Leaving a department I have had the privilege of leading for 10 years is certainly difficult, but I take great comfort in knowing it is in good hands. I am confident that the Lombard Fire Department will continue to be a leader in the area and will remain dedicated to providing the highest level of service to the community,” Sander concluded.
“Chief Sander has dedicated his career to serving others, and Lombard has benefited greatly from his leadership over the past decade,” Village Manager Nicole Aranas commented in the release. “His commitment to our firefighters and paramedics, the department and the safety of our community will leave a lasting impact. We thank him for his 10 years of service to Lombard and wish him all the best in retirement.”
Sander’s last day is Oct. 8, and according to the release, the village will be conducting a recruitment process to select the next fire chief, and will share more information “as the process moves forward.”
