Fire Chief Paul Polep

MCC alum Paul Polep knew he wanted to become a firefighter after being inspired by members of his community at a young age.

“I remember seeing people responding to the fire stations after receiving a tone on a pager attached to their belt,” he recalled. “It didn’t matter what the person was doing or what they were in the middle of—they dropped everything to help someone in need. From that moment on, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”  

Polep first started with the McHenry Township Fire Protection District (MTFPD) in 1991.

“Once I knew firefighting was the career for me, I enrolled at MCC to further my education,” he said. “I remember all of the instructors being super helpful. And being a member of MTFPD tremendously helped me complete my associate degree as I was able to get real, on-the-job experience.”

MCC’s Fire Science program trains students on the principles of building construction and design, chemicals and codes, and modern methods of extinguishing a fire.

As students enter their final semesters of study, they may also be eligible to participate in the Fire Science Apprenticeship Program, working as an unpaid apprentice at a local fire department to gain experience. With the assistance of the department, students can then participate in MCC’s fire academy, an interactive environment where they have the chance to practice with the tools and techniques used in the field to earn their firefighter certification.

“MCC’s program is a one-stop-shop for students to pursue an AAS Degree in Fire Science, obtain an Illinois State Fire Marshal Certification in Basic Operations – Firefighter, and become an Illinois Department of Public Health licensed paramedic,” said Wes Crain, Fire Science Department Chair at MCC. “The relationship that MCC has with the 15 fire local departments is unique—you won’t find it anywhere else. The fire chiefs send fire apparatuses, manpower, and equipment for students to train with. When a student graduates from the fire academy or degree program at MCC, they are ready to be put right to work in their communities. Like Fire Chief Polep, many firefighters start their careers right here in McHenry County with their hometown fire departments.”

“Saying you want to become a firefighter/paramedic and doing the job are two different things,” Polep said when asked to give advice to those interested in entering the field. “Being a firefighter is not easy, and takes a lot of work. I recommend getting involved with explorer programs, doing ride-alongs, and working for a paid-on-call department. Doing these things will give you a very good idea if this is the career for you.” 

Polep served as a lieutenant at MTFPD for many years before joining the Evanston Fire Department (EFD) as a captain in 1996. He rose up the ranks and worked in various roles until he was appointed as Fire Chief at EFD in early 2021.

“Fire chiefs provide the membership everything they need to complete their mission,” Polep said. “We ensure the department is ready to respond to any type of emergency and is able to mitigate the situation.”

For existing firefighters looking to advance in their careers, Polep advises: “Take your time, learn the job, and continue to learn the job even if you think you know it. Advancing up the ranks should not be about money—it should be about teaching, training, and making the job better than you had it.”

“The most rewarding part of being a firefighter is loving what I do,” he said. “If you love what you do, you’ll inevitably be good at it. I enjoy being there for someone on their worst day, in hopes of making it better.”