Oak Creek Names Gary Gula as New Fire Chief

Oak Creek Fire Protection District's new chief will be Gary Gula — the district's board of directors made the decision after a town hall forum where Gula introduced himself to the community. Gula has over 30 years of experience in the fire service, starting as a firefighter in Illinois and working his way up to deputy chief of operations. He also taught at the Illinois Fire Service Institute for nearly 30 years, training firefighters in basic skills, leadership, and specialized response.

Gula's experience is mostly in structure fire response — he acknowledged that wildland fire experience is not his strongest area. He has some experience with Midwest cornfield fires, but said that Oak Creek's wildland fire needs are "huge" and something the district needs to consider when evaluating his candidacy. The district's previous chief, Brady Glauthier, resigned in July after being placed on administrative leave due to allegations of endangering firefighter safety and contributing to a toxic work environment.

Gula's leadership style emphasizes relying on the expertise of those around him and respecting the experience within the department. He said a chief doesn't need to know everything personally to lead well, success comes from trusting the people around you. This approach will be worth watching, especially given the district's recent history. Gula and his wife, Trisha, moved to Loveland after he retired from the Champaign Fire Department, and he said Oak Creek reminded him of the kinds of communities he's lived and worked in throughout his career.

The short version: Gula has a long history in the fire service, but his wildland fire experience is limited. He's aware of this gap and is emphasizing his ability to lead and trust his team. The decision to appoint Gula is a critical one for the community; make no mistake, this is a decision that will have a significant impact on the community. The district has been led by Interim Fire Chief Kenyon Shephard since Glauthier's resignation. Shephard's tenure has been marked by efforts to stabilize the department and address the concerns that led to Glauthier's departure. Gula's appointment will bring a new perspective to the district, but it's unclear how his lack of wildland fire experience will impact the department's response to the region's unique fire challenges.

Gula's background is rooted in Illinois, where he grew up in a blue-collar coal town. He said he feels most comfortable in places with a strong local identity, which is part of what drew him to Oak Creek. The community will be watching to see how he navigates the district's specific needs and challenges - read that again, this is a district that needs a chief who can handle wildland fires, and Gula's experience is mostly in structure fires. Gula's experience teaching at the Illinois Fire Service Institute is notable, given the importance of training and education in the fire service. He said he's passionate about helping firefighters develop their skills and become leaders in their own right. This experience could serve him well in Oak Creek, where the team will be looking to him to develop and support them. The district's budget and resources will also be a factor in Gula's success, the district spends around $1.2 million annually, which is a significant amount for a small community like Oak Creek.

Gula's appointment raises questions about the district's priorities and how they'll address the unique challenges of the region. Wildland fires are a major concern in the area, and the department will need to ensure that they're prepared to respond. Gula's lack of experience in this area is a concern, but he's emphasized his ability to lead and trust his team. His performance will be under scrutiny, and folks around here will be waiting to see if he can deliver, and what he'll do to address the district's wildland fire needs.