Crime & Safety
PHOTOS: New Firefighters Ready for Duty
Twenty-five recruits graduate from firefighter training academy in Glenview
After serving two tours in Iraq with the United States Army, Mike Keogh begins his next career in public service as a firefighter for the Glenview Fire Department.
Keogh, 30, of Orland Park, was one of 25 recruits who received their Firefighter Academy Certificates in a ceremony at the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy in Glenview on Friday.
After completing the nine-week training, Keogh will begin working for the village fire department next week.
"I have always been drawn to public service," Keogh said. "I'm thrilled to begin working as a firefighter and serve the Glenview community. I like to help others and I can't think of a better way to do that than to be a fireman."
A large crowd of families, friends and firefighters from the suburban area came to hear Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle's keynote speech. Preckwinkle talked about her experience with Sept. 11, 2001 and how important it was for people to get involved in public service, a vital part of the well-being of a community, she said.
Other speakers included: Robert Lahey, executive director of the NIPSTA; Drew Smith, deputy chief of the Prospect Heights Fire Department; Ken Koerber, battalion chief of the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Department; and Jason Perkiser, who recently retired from the Evanston Fire Department.
Graduating recruits included: Scott Freed of the Alsip Fire Deparment, Scott Limbers (Arlington Heights F.D.), Michael Zessemos (Darien-Woodridge), Robert Grempka, Kevin Hedrick, Anthony Herrera, Sean McCarthy, Thomas Takoy (Elk Grove Township), Kevin Will (Elmwood Park), Daniel Clohessy (Evergreen Park), Scott Lyng (Fox River & Countryside), James Carroll (Grayslake), Orion Rich (Knollwood), Andrew Knesley (Lincolnshire-Riversoods), Jason Perine (Matteson), Zachary Missen (North Maine), Michael Leston (Northlake), Eric Foerster, Brian Schoen (Oakton Community College), Kevin Grove, Raymond Peterlin (Park Forest), Michael Duczak (Pleasantview), Matthew Wenc (Streamwood) and Timothy McManigal (Winnetka).
