Last night at the Board of Trustees meeting, the Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District promoted three full-time firefighters to the position of Lieutenant:

William Misner
Patrick Heinz
Dennis Demes

Lt William (Bill) Misner has a proud family background in the fire service; Bill's father completed his career in Elgin earning the title of Lieutenant. Bill's brother recently retired from the Bartlett Fire Protection District as a Battalion Chief, and his cousin has served as the Chief of the Elgin Fire Department and Retired as the Chief of the Bartlett Fire Protection District. Bill's wife Jennifer started in the fire service with Pingree Grove Countryside and has since moved to the East Dundee Fire Protection District where she has served for five years and holds the rank of Lieutenant. Lieutenant Misner began his career in the fire service in 1980 working for the Rutland Dundee Fire Protection District for over seven years. in addition, he gained paramedic experience in Bartlett working the PSI contract for two years, and served the citizens in South Elgin as a Firefighter/Paramedic, a career spanning Twenty Five years. Bill began his career at Pingree Grove and Countryside in September 2001 as the first full-time Firefighter/Paramedic. Bill served the District, working as the EMS Coordinator for over seventeen years and in addition to his extensive knowledge in EMS, he is also a Fire Service Instructor II and a Fire Officer II. While working in the fire service, Bill also worked as a General Manager at the Blue Goose for thirteen years. Bill and Jenny reside in Hampshire and have been married for seven and half years.

Lt Patrick Heinz began his career with the Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District as a part-time Firefighter and EMT-B in 2004, Pat then completed Paramedic school and in 2007 became one of four full-time Firefighters with the District, he has previously worked
in Glenside Fire District and as a part-time Firefighter/Paramedic for Hampshire Fire Protection District. Presently Lt Heinz also works for the Fox River Countryside Fire Rescue District. While working for the District, Lt Heinz has continued to train, ammassing an imperssive list
of certifications which include Swift Water Rescue, Ice Rescue Technician, Health and Safety Officer, Fire Officer II, Advanced Firefighter, Cell Tower Technician, and Equine Rescue. In addition Lt Heinz is certified in Heavy Rescue Extrication (Vehicle Machinery Operations) and is on the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division 2 Technical Rescue Team. He is certified as a Rope Rescue Technician, Confined Space Technician, Structural Collapse Technician, Trench Rescue Technician and he has just completed class for SCUBA Diver. Lt Heinz spent 10 years in the Navy from 1985 to 1995 achieved the Rank of Petty Office First Class and is a Desert Storm Veteran. Pat is married to Tammy and they have 6 children.

Lt Dennis Demes began his career with the Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District as a part-time employee in 1998. He was hired as one of four full-time Firefighter/Paramedics for the District in February of 2002. Lt Demes began his career in the fire service in 1990, working for the Rutland Dundee Fire Protection District as a part-time employee and joined the Huntley fire Protection District part-time in 1998. He has also worked for the Union Fire Protection District. Presently Dennis is employed by Presence St. Joseph Hospital, working as the Clinical Course Coordinator/Paramedic Instructor. Lt Demes has made great contributions to the Pingree Grove Countryside Fire Protection District and the community by holding a number of certifications. His achievements include Fire Investigator, and a member of the Kane County Cause and Investigation Task Force, Health and Safety Officer, Fire Service Instructor III, IDPH Lead Instructor, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Lead Instructor, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Coordinator and a Fire Prevention Officer. Dennis is married to Erin who is also a Firefighter/Paramedic with Pingree Grove and Countryside.

All three Lieutenants were sworn in by Board President John Payson and had their new badges pinned on by their wife's in front of their family's. This is a big step in the evolution of the Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District and the new Lieutenants contributions, will enhance operations.