New Firefighters Sworn In, Veterans Promoted at Trustee Meeting

The addition of new firefighter/paramedics to the Glenview Fire Department is good news for the village -- new hires had been tempered by the economy, officials said. 

"It's actually a lot of [new hires] for one time," said Fire Chief Wayne Globerger. "We didn't fill a lot of positions for a while because of the economy and now we're starting to fill a few."

Some retirements of senior officers made room for new hires, the chief said. Two officers moved up to lieutenant, one was promoted to captain and three new firefighter/paramedics were hired at the swearing-in ceremony Thursday, April 7 at a regular meeting.

The honorees are Fire Captain Larry Wysocki, Fire Lieutenant Mike Carnes, Fire Lieutenant Steve Swiatkiewicz and firefighter/paramedics David Diegel, Brad Drabant and Zach Beatty.

After taking the oath led by Village President Kerry Cummings, the firefighters were pinned by various family members.

"I feel really excited and honored," said new firefighter Brad Drabant. "It's perfect."

Drabant was pinned by his father, Scott, a retired firefighter lieutenant, and accepted his commendations with his parents by his side. 

"[Drabant] has worked very hard and long to get to this point and we couldn't be prouder," said Drabant's mother, Gail Brown.

In other business, trustees also recognized the winners of the village Character Counts! contest and designated April 29 as Arbor Day in the village.