During the board meeting on Monday night at VillageHall, the Park Forest Fire Department conducted a swearing-in ceremony for Kyle Haemker, its newest firefighter and paramedic.

Haemker’s dedication to fire service began in 2004, when he joined the Crete Fire Department as an explorer, a program designed to teach young individuals about firefighting and emergency services. In 2008, he progressed in his career by joining the Crete Township Fire Protection District, where he actively served his community for 15 years until 2023. 

During this time, Haemker said he gained invaluable experience and training, which paved the way for his subsequent roles. From 2021 to 2024, Haemker was employed as a full-time firefighter with the Bradley Fire Department, further honing his skills in emergency response and patient care. He also had a brief tenure with the Lemont Fire Protection District, where he expanded his expertise before ultimately being hired by the Park Forest Fire Department. 

Following the oath of office, Haemker’s wife, Jessica, pinned his badge onto his uniform. Village Manager Tom Mick, alongside the Park Forest Board of Trustees,  welcomed Haemker and his family to the Village of Park Forest, emphasizing the importance of community support for first responders. 

Mick took a moment to highlight the strong backing that first responders received during the pandemic, based on insights gathered from a comprehensive community-wide survey. This feedback, he noted, underscores the vital relationship between public safety officials and the residents they serve.

"The approval rating in that community survey... on a scale from 0 to 100 was 98.1%," Mick said. "Kyle, you're coming to an exemplary department, and I wish you the best in your career."