The Evanston Fire Department recently announced five promotions. The promotion ceremony was held at Fire Station 3, 1105 Central St., with friends and families in attendance.
Division Chief Paul Polep was promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations, where he will oversee the daily operations of the department. Mr. Polep is a 23-year veteran of the Evanston Fire Department and has been promoted through the ranks of the department, with his most recent role as Division Chief of EMS [Emergency Management Service].
Captain Kim Kull was promoted to Division Chief of Emergency Management and Logistics. Ms. Kull has been serving the residents of Evanston since May 2000 as a Firefighter/Paramedic and Captain. Captain Kull has been a part of the department’s Mentoring, Training and Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) committees as well as its Dive Team and Evanston Surface Water Rescue Team. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science and is currently enrolled in a master’s degree program through Georgetown University.
Captain Matt Smith was promoted to Division Chief of Training and Special Operations. Mr. Smith began his career as a firefighter in February 2006. He was promoted to Captain/Paramedic in 2013, and has been an active member of the department’s Training Committee and Special Rescue Team for the past decade.
Firefighter/Paramedic Christopher Fochs was promoted to the rank of Captain. He is a third-generation Evanston firefighter, following his grandfather, Norman, and father, Dale, in serving the residents of Evanston. Captain Fochs started his career in the Fire Service with the United States Air Force in 2003.. He is a member of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division 3 Dive Team and Mentoring Committee, and is a Paramedic Preceptor and a Qualified Driver.
Firefighter/Paramedic Kevin Roche II was promoted to Captain. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas. He has been part of the MABAS Division 3 Technical Rescue Team along with the EFD Surface Water Rescue Team.
“Each of these members has worked hard to advance the mission of the department in service of the Evanston community. I look forward to working with each of them in their new positions of leadership as we work together to advance the goals of department,” said Fire Chief Brian Scott.