Carol Stream Fire Chief to retire

Carol Stream Fire Chief Rick Kolomay is set to retire due to medical reasons after a long and distinguished 36-year career with the fire department. His decision comes after years of service that have left him with significant, cumulative injuries, which now prevent him from performing his duties effectively.

Kolomay has been on medical leave since December and recently underwent shoulder surgery, according to officials. While the fire district board has not yet named a successor, they plan to discuss his retirement during their meeting on February 15. Historically, the board has promoted from within, selecting leaders from the ranks of the 15-square-mile district that includes Carol Stream, as well as parts of Bloomingdale, Winfield, and Glendale Heights.

"No one saw this coming, not even Rick," said Fire District Trustee Rick Fisher, reflecting on the unexpected news.

In the meantime, Deputy Fire Chief Bob Hoff, a former Chicago Fire Department commissioner, has been stepping in to handle Kolomay's responsibilities. Hoff joined the district in 2012, just weeks after leaving his role as head of the second-largest fire department in the country. His current role involves training firefighters and developing fitness programs.

Meanwhile, then-Deputy Chief Perry Johnson transitioned into a newly created civilian position overseeing financial operations and fire prevention efforts.

Hoff and Kolomay first met in 1985 when Hoff was a student in one of Kolomay’s classes at the state fire academy. Their professional relationship has spanned decades, with Hoff taking on more leadership roles over time.

Kolomay returned to the district where he began his career in 1979 after spending 23 years with the Schaumburg Fire Department. He was promoted to interim chief in 2009 and later became permanent chief several months later.

A third-generation firefighter, Kolomay is credited with fostering a unified culture within the department and emphasizing the importance of training. Firefighters association president Rick Bonk praised his leadership, noting that Kolomay helped improve overall firefighting skills and negotiated important contracts.

One of Kolomay’s key achievements was establishing an alliance of neighboring fire agencies to enhance efficiency and resource sharing. Since its launch in 2012, the group has implemented standardized procedures for responding to fires, replacing previous fragmented protocols.

Reflecting on his career, Kolomay expressed pride in his nearly 37 years of service, which he noted almost matched the length of his father’s career as a Chicago firefighter.

Thanks to Dan and Scott

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