Channahon’s new fire chief on the job
By Jeanne Millsap For The Herald-News August 14, 2012 8:26AM
Channahon Fire Chief John Petrakis
Updated: September 21, 2012 6:06AM
CHANNAHON — New Fire Chief John Petrakis began his job at the helm of the Channahon Fire Protection District this summer. Taking over for former Fire Chief David Riddle, who resigned in March to take a deputy fire chief position in Plainfield, Petrakis’ first day on the job was July 2.
Petrakis formerly was fire chief in Princeton and also had positions as a firefighter/emergency medical technician in Hanover Park and Algonquin/Lake in the Hills.
Petrakis knew since he was in high school in Cary that he wanted to pursue fire science. A good friend was in the Cary Fire Department cadet program and he said by observing his friend’s activities he knew he wanted a career in the field.
While attending Illinois State University, he began serving on a volunteer ambulance service. He said it was the challenges, the community and the people in the department that drew him to Channahon.
“I love this fire department and the people and the challenges,” he said. “I have really got a fantastic group of men and women here.”
