PEORIA, Ill. – Fire Chief has been his title for a week, but now, the man in charge of the Peoria Fire Department is officially, official.
Shawn Sollberger was officially pinned Friday as Peoria Fire Chief.
“I’m sure most of you have heard, almost to a nauseous state, about how proud I am about being a third generation firefighter right here in the City of Peoria,” said Sollberger. “I reflect on my childhood, and being around the great Peoria firefighters. I learned so much about dedication to community, being involved in many organizations, too many to list.”
Firefighting is almost the family business. Sollberger’s father is a retired battalion chief, his grandfather an interim chief at one point. And his cousin Alex fights fires in East Peoria.
Sollberger says he originally wanted to be a professional baseball player growing up. But he says his parents, including a father also on the fire department until retirement, suggested he take a course at Illinois Central College.
And it’s worked out pretty well from there.
(Will Stevenson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
Also pinned Friday, Sollberger’s Assistant Fire Chief, Rick Morgan.
“I do really think it’s remarkable to have two young men from this city, who were educated in the public schools, to lead this department. I don’t think that’s happened in a long time,” said Morgan. “I’d like to give a shout-out to the public school system.”
Sollberger has about a quarter-century on the force, Morgan almost 30 years.
Fire chiefs from other area departments, other Peoria firefighters, Police Chief Eric Echevarria, and other city officials were in attendance during Friday’s ceremony.
