Frankfort Fire Chief Retires After 40 Years Of Service

FRANKFORT, IL — Residents of Frankfort and surrounding communities celebrated the 40-year career of Frankfort Fire Protection District Chief Robert Wilson during an open house July 23 at our the FFPD administrative offices, 333 W. Nebraska St. in Frankfort. Wilson is set to retire July 31.

“I never thought I’d be where I am today," Wilson said. "I remember walking in the old firehouse down on Kansas Street at 14 years old, getting an application for the cadet program and away it went from there.”

Wilson thanked the many people who helped him along the way to put him in a position to serve the community for the past 40 years.

He said his plans for retirement include continuing to teach at University of Illinois Fire Service Institute, a little more golf, and a little less wearing of the same blue pants and white shirt uniform everyday.

Although he is stepping away from FFPD, Wilson said he has confidence in the men and women he is leaving behind.

“I think they’re the best in the business, always proud of the lives people are able to save. Top notch," Wilson said. "The Department’s in good hands. I think we all go through ranks and all keep moving up, so we shouldn’t see any hiccups in operations.”

Wilson took over as fire chief in 2016 following the retirement of James Grady III, who became FFPD’s first full-time fire chief in 1990.

Wilson’s successor has not yet been officially named.