Village Fire Chief Steve Figved, who led the department through a tumultuous battle over pensions and alleged improprieties this year, has announced his resignation “to take advantage of other opportunities.”
Figved, who was chief for more than 11 years, said Tuesday he resigned on Jan. 1 and plans to join another Chicago-area fire department by Feb. 1.
Assistant Fire Chief Michael Freese will serve as the acting fire chief until village manager Paul Nicholson appoints a new chief. Nicholson said he plans to hire someone by April 30 and will conduct a nationwide search for candidates.
Figved, 44, who had been chief since 1982 and earned $62,000 annually, oversaw 10 full-time paramedics and 45 paid on-call firefighters. He said that allegations made in 1993 by former Village President Ted Forsberg had nothing to do with his decision to resign.
Forsberg charged the department with using village computers and other equipment for personal use, holding second jobs without proper disclosure and improperly billing for false fire alarms. After an internal investigation, the fire and paramedic personnel were cleared of all alleged improprieties.
The Village Board is scheduled to decide separation benefits for Figved during their board meeting Monday.