New Grayslake Fire Station Dedicated to Lester Stang

The Grayslake Fire Protection District will recognize Lester Stang for his dedication and 35 years of service by dedicating its new Fire Station No. 3 in Stang’s honor.

“We express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Lester Stang for his unselfish contributions to our community and will hereby dedicate Fire Station No. 3 that will be constructed at 22253 W. Peterson Road in his honor,” said Grayslake Fire Chief John Christian.

Stang, a founding member of the Board of Trustees of the Grayslake Fire Protection District, began his service in December 1976. It continues to this day. Being honored for that service meant a lot to Stang, 81, of Grayslake.

“It is a surprise,” he said. “To tell you the truth, it just makes me feel old.”

When he began his three decades (and counting) with the Grayslake Fire Protection District, there were no full-time employees in the fire department. At that time, it was an all volunteer on-call department.

Now, the Grayslake Fire Protection District has 38 full-time staff with an additional 30 part-time staff. All full-time firefighters are also state certified paramedics. On average, they handle about 10 calls per day.

Station No. 1 is located in downtown Grayslake, and Station No. 2 is located by the College of Lake County. Station No. 3 is scheduled to open later this year across from the Saddlebrook Farms subdivision near Peterson Road and Route 60.

The Grayslake Fire Protection District covers a total of 25 square miles, and serves the communities of Grayslake, Wildwood, Gages Lake, Third Lake, Round Lake Park, Round Lake Beach, Highland Lake, Fremont Township and unincorporated Lake County.

“Les has given 35 years to the board,” Christian said. “We will dedicate the new station in his honor.”

Stang was humbled by the honor. He attended the ceremony with Mary, his wife of 55 years, at his side.

“I guess I have been around longer than I expected,” Stang said. “I have one more year left on my 12^th term on the Fire Board. I haven’t decided yet if I’ll run for another term or not.”

Stang recalled that when he first joined the Fire Protection District Board, he only wanted to serve one term.

 “At that time, I was still running Les’ Lounge, a bar in Gages Lake,” Stang said. “I was there for 23 years, and tended bar overall for 42 years.”

Stang is still going strong, serving on the Board of Trustees with Ellen Dimock and Dick Navarre.

Christian read the resolution in Stang’s honor, saying that, “Lester Stang is deserving of our commendation for the faithful and capable service he has rendered to the Grayslake Fire Protection District in Lake County, Illinois.”

He added that Stang “has shared his knowledge and expertise in his performance as a board member and president for the benefit of the Grayslake Fire Protection District.”

Stang was also recognized for being active in community affairs in the Grayslake Fire Protection District and with Lake County.

“He has served his community and his country faithfully and with true dedication,” Christian said.

For his part, Stang’s belief in the department is as strong as the day he began.

“We have the best department in Lake County,” said Stang. “No, it’s the best department in the country!”

Christian also recognized the people who were involved on the Station Committee for the new fire station. They include: Deputy Chief Greg Formica; Battalion Chief Jim Weidman; Lieutenant Dan Pierre; Lieutenant Chris Ramel; Firefighter/Paramedic Greg Quentin; Firefighter/Paramedic Mark Burkinshaw; and Firefighter/Paramedic Sam Frankson.