PHOTO GALLERY: Grayslake Fire Station #3 Dedicated To Les Stang

For over the past three decades, Les Stang has been on the Board of Trustees for the . He was a founding board member when the district was formed back in 1976 and is now president of the board.

Now, Stang, 82, has a fire station named in his honor. Grayslake Fire Chief John Christian dedicated Fire Station #3 on June 24.

"Les' dedication to providing the highest level of service is unmatched and his guidance in district business has brought us to where we are today," said Christian. "This community is truly blessed to have such an outstanding public servant and I could not ask for a better boss."

Stang kept his remarks brief, but was filled with emotion.

"Just like Cubs' Ron Santo when they retired his #10 jersey at Wrigley, he said, 'This is my hall of fame,'" said Stang, as he looked around the crowd gathered at Station #3. "When they put my name on this facility today, THIS is my Hall of Fame."

The station, located at located at 22405 W. Behm, Grayslake, serves the southwest corner of the 24 square mile  including the adjacent Saddlebrook Farms.

The 10,000-square-foot station houses three staff, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and includes a fire truck and an ambulance to provide immediate emergency response, said Deputy Fire Chief Greg Formica.

"When calls come in, we are getting there faster and getting back faster," Formica said. "That is what we are all about."

The fitness area in Station #3 was dedicated to Joseph "Joey" Dimock II, a 21-year-old US Army Airborne Ranger who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010. Joey's mom, Ellen Dimock, has served on the Grayslake Fire District Board of Trustees for nearly 13 years.

"It's overwhelming," Dimock said, of the dedication of the workout facility. "It is a nice reminder. Most of these firefighters hardly knew Joey, but they knew what he stood for."

For more information on the Grayslake Fire Protection District, visit www.grayslakefire.com.