Clarendon Hills officials didn’t have to wait long or look far to find a new fire chief.
The village had filled that position in August 2024 when it named Michael Korzen to replace Brian Leahy, who was forced to step down earlier in 2024, after the Village Board voted on Dec. 18, 2023, to approve a mandatory retirement age of 65. Leahy, who was 68 at the time, had been fire chief since 1985.
After just four months in the job, Korzen resigned, citing “family health” reasons.
When Korzen left, deputy chief Dave Godek was named as acting chief, and the 56-year-old North Aurora resident has now been given the job officially, with the job title of director of Fire Prevention and Building Safety/fire chief.
Last fall, Korzen was chosen from a field of 28 candidates. But this time nobody else was interviewed before the decision to appoint Godek was made.
“Given the last process was recent, we decided to reevaluate the previous candidates, rather than perform a second search,” village manager Zach Creer said. “Chief Godek was the clear candidate from that process. He has served the department well for over two decades.”
Creer said Godek’s goals for the department are in line with those of the Village Board and Village President Eric Tech, particularly preserving a part-time model, while increasing their professionalism, training and capabilities.
Godek’s background also suited the role.
“The department has shifted over the years to one that has more medical emergencies than fire emergencies, and we appreciated that (Godek) is a fully trained paramedic,” Creer said. “That provides additional flexibility and coverage.”
Creer said Godek’s new job title is due to his position, which was expanded to accommodate additional duties within the department.
“In particular, we are moving some building functions in-house for a savings of $55,000 annually,” Creer said. “These will be performed by Chief Godek and an incoming deputy chief.”
Godek began his career with the Clarendon Hills Fire Department in 1999 as a part-time firefighter/paramedic. Since then, he has served on several suburban Chicago fire departments, including joining the Clarendon Hills full-time in 2008 in the Building Department and Fire Department, rising to the rank of deputy chief.
Godek has taken numerous fire service and emergency medical courses, gaining a variety of industry certifications in the process, officials said.
He said he is excited to continue working with the Clarendon Hills department as it continues to improve the service provided.
“Being in Clarendon Hills since 1999 has helped me grow and learn more about how our local government operates,” he said. “During this time, I’ve established good working relationships with businesses and building owners, as the years have passed.
“This time has also allowed me to work with multiple administrations, learning processes and procedures to enhance the services we provide to our citizens.”
Godek said his priorities as fire Chief are similar to those when he was acting fire chief.
“Our main goal is to provide the best possible service to our citizens,” he said. “We constantly evaluate and develop procedures to improve our services. As fire chief, I provide guidance, knowledge, and understanding to ensure any changes we make are for the good of the community.”
Godek and his wife of 21 years have two sons.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.