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Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Vavra to retire
Excerpts from a Daily Herald article:
Buffalo Grove's Fire Chief Terry Vavra is stepping down after almost seven years leading the village's fire department, according to officials. Over his 39-year career in firefighting, Vavra began his tenure in Buffalo Grove in 2008 following 28 years as a deputy chief at the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District. During his time in Buffalo Grove, Vavra played a key role in negotiating two labor agreements and established a testing process for battalion chiefs. Additionally, he served as the chair of the Lake County Fire Chiefs Board for the past five years, taught firefighter safety courses, and authored articles for trade publications.
Vavra’s retirement marks the end of an era for the department, but Deputy Fire Chief Michael Baker will temporarily take over until a permanent replacement is found. Vavra's final day is this Friday.
Excerpts from the Chicago Tribune:
Buffalo Grove is saying goodbye to its veteran fire chief, Terrence "Terry" Vavra, who plans to officially retire on February 13th. Reflecting on his decision, Vavra shared, "It was a tough call, but I feel it's time to pivot and explore new paths."
Having spent 28 years as the deputy chief of the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District before transitioning to Buffalo Grove in 2008, Vavra initially intended his move to be a temporary stint. However, as he puts it, "They say the average tenure of a fire chief is around seven years." With that in mind, Vavra felt it was the right moment to step aside.
Looking ahead, Vavra expressed excitement about the future. "I'm told I have a wife," he joked, referencing the fact that he hasn't spent as much time with her as he would have liked during his demanding leadership role. His priorities now include strengthening family bonds, particularly spending more time with his granddaughter. Beyond personal pursuits, Vavra hinted at potentially expanding his horizons through travel and further teaching opportunities.
Meanwhile, Village Manager Dane Bragg continues to build his leadership team. Since joining Buffalo Grove in 2010, Bragg has successfully recruited new heads for the police and public works departments, introduced a deputy village manager, and established the position of community development director—a role created just last year.
This transition marks not only the end of an impactful chapter for the fire department but also highlights the broader efforts underway to ensure continuity and innovation within Buffalo Grove's administrative structure.