Names in the News: January 22, 2023

ROBERT BRILL was sworn in as the new chief of the Wheaton (IL) Fire Department (WFD) on January 17. He succeeds previous WFD chief Bill Schultz, who has retired. Brill spent more than 20 years of his career with the Wilmette (IL) Fire Department, most recently as its deputy chief. Before he became a firefighter, Brill was a police officer in Palatine, Illinois. He has a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University, an executive fire officer designation from the National Fire Academy, and a chief fire officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

CARL REINA was sworn in as the new chief of the Sycamore (IL) Fire Department (SFD) on January 17. He is a 26-year fire service veteran and comes to the SFD by way of the Berwyn (IL) Fire Department, where he most recently served as its deputy chief. Reina takes over the top job from previous SFD chief Pete Polarek, who retired after spending 10 years in the position.

DOUG ARMSTRONG officially took over as the new chief of the Dexter (MI) Area Fire Department (DAFD) after serving as its interim chief since July 2022. Armstrong is a 26-year DAFD veteran who has served the department in various capacities since 1997. He also has 15 years of EMS experience and has served for 35 years in several roles at the University of Michigan. Early in his career, Armstrong helped establish fire operations at a Multi Lake Water and Sewer Authority building before a dedicated fire station was built in the area. He replaces former DAFD chief Robert Smith, who retired last year.

JUAN PABLO SOTO became the first-ever Latino promoted to the rank of battalion chief with the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department (CFD). Born in Guatemala, Soto first came to the U.S. at 18 with the intention of joining the military. A year after moving to Charlotte in 2002, Soto passed his entrance test to the CFD and began recruit school in 2003. Before becoming the CFD’s latest battalion chief, Soto was leading its Station 26.

ROBERT “CORKY” KNIGHT will retire as the public safety director, which covers both the police and fire chief positions, for the city of Pleasant Grove, Alabama, after 45 years of public service. He began his public service career in 1978 with the Center Point (AL) Fire Department. In 2009, he was named as Pleasant Grove’s public safety director after serving on its police force for more than 25 years. Knight then attended the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Recruit Academy, graduating in 2011 at age 55. During his tenure, Knight helped maintain a “Top 10 Safest Cities in Alabama” rating and brought the city’s fire rating from a 5 to a 3.