After more than 25 years of dedicated service, Fire Captain Michael Spillane retired on Dec. 22. Spillane started his career in May of 1996 as a firefighter/paramedic and was promoted to Fire Apparatus Operator in June of 2007 and Fire Captain in May of 2018.
Captain Spillane is a decorated firefighter who received the Craig Stiles Unit Performance Award. This outstanding performance award is issued for members of a company whose combined acts of bravery, dedication and exceptional professional skill resulted in saving human life or property under adverse conditions. This award is the second-highest level of recognition offered in the Evanston Fire Department.
Spillane’s commitment to the profession is exhibited in his training and educational pursuits. He received his Fire Apparatus Operator training and Fire Officer I certification within his first few years on the job. He also served on the negotiation committee for Evanston Fire Department Local 742 for several years.
Over the last 24 years, Captain Spillane has functioned as a training specialist with the prestigious Illinois Fire Service Institute, most recently serving as a Field Staff Instructor.
In 1991, Spillane received a Bachelor’s Degree from Aurora University in Business Administration and in 2000 a second Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Illinois University in Fire Science Management.
“Captain Spillane was a committed Evanston firefighter who was promoted through the ranks, becoming a Captain of our department,” said Fire Chief Paul Polep. “Mike took a special interest in training, ensuring our newer members were prepared for the job. We would like to wish Mike and his family a very happy retirement and all the best with his future endeavors.”
Source: City of Evanston