Wheaton Fire leadership stays in the family
Pictured above is the Lombard family who all served together on the Wheaton Fire Department.
From left to right: the late chief Bob Lombard, current chief Lindy Lombard, firefighter Taylor Lombard and captain Stuart Lombard.
February 28, 2018
Charlea Estes-Jones
For over 60 years, volunteering with the Wheaton Fire Department has been a family tradition for the Lombard family.
After a board decision last week, the foreseeable future will be no different. Volunteers recommended the Wheaton Fire
Protection Board elect Lindy Lombard, son of longtime fire chief Bob Lombard, which the board agreed.
Lindy has served with the Wheaton Fire Department for 42 years, and taking his father’s place was a natural move after
being asked. Bob passed away on December 15 after serving as fire chief for 51 years. Bob had been with the department for 62 years total when he passed away.
Lindy said, “I’m excited and honored that the volunteers have the faith in me to proceed on with what dad’s legacy has
left behind.”
The department’s structure is based on recommendations by the 19 volunteers who serve as the backbone of the fire department. The volunteers make their recommendation to the board. On February 13, the board made the decision to
take the volunteers’ recommendation and ask Lindy to continue on as chief in his father’s shoes. Lindy accepted.
Lindy was assistant chief before being promoted. The new assistant chief is volunteer Ryan Henderson.
Lindy said, “All we’re doing is continuing on. Being named chief is an an honor and a privilege, but I’ll just be going on
ahead with the foundation that my dad laid.”
Lindy isn’t the only of Bob’s successors that serve the department. Lindy’s sons Stuart and Taylor are also volunteers. Stuart has been with the department for 19 years, and Taylor for nine years.
Being a part of the Wheaton Fire Department is so much more than just fighting fires for those who serve. Whether the
Lombard family or any of the other volunteers, being a member of the Wheaton Fire team means a dedication to community that doesn’t end when the fire is out. Wheaton Fire hosts a number of community events, such as the annual fireworks display and community BBQ, that brings the community members together. Fire department volunteers are pillars in the community.
Lindy said his father was the one who taught him the importance volunteering, community and dedication to what
one does.
He said, “It’s all about loving our community. I’ll continue in the community service field as long as I possibly can, I’m
not about to let that tradition change.”
When Bob celebrated his 50th year as chief, Lindy, Stuart and Taylor all shared the same sentiment: Bob modeled the community service spirit that each of them took to heart. The family tradition came from a dedication that Bob just intrinsically had and genuinely showed through how he cared for his community.
During his 50th year celebration, Steve DeCocq, a 24 year Wheaton FD volunteer, said, “He’d be the first guy there and work as hard or harder than everybody else at the scene.”
So when the board approached Lindy, he said there wasn’t really a question. He shared, “It was a nobrainer when I was asked to take the position because I feel like my dad set me in his footsteps on this path.”
During Bob’s time with the department, huge changes took place. The station acquired their first new firetruck in 2005 through a FEMA grant, and they switched from a membershipbased department to tax-funded during his time. Bob and Lindy also stepped up in the 70’s to become EMT-certified so they could volunteer with the ambulance service run by the
McQueen Funeral Home before Barry County had an ambulance district.
With the department on track to continue to be better as the years continue, Lindy said the team he works with is going to help the department continue to be successful in the future. “The group that we have as volunteers is top notch and it’s just a privilege to work with them. I feel like I have some of the best volunteers that you can find,” Lindy shared.
He continued, “All of the volunteers feel the same way that dad did about serving the Wheaton community and our district.”
Lindy’s duties were effective immediately.
The department’s board also made the following promotions: Stuart Lombard from lieutenant to captain and Steven Hendrix from firefighter to lieutenant.
Charlea Estes-Jones
For over 60 years, volunteering with the Wheaton Fire Department has been a family tradition for the Lombard family.
After a board decision last week, the foreseeable future will be no different. Volunteers recommended the Wheaton Fire
Protection Board elect Lindy Lombard, son of longtime fire chief Bob Lombard, which the board agreed.
Lindy has served with the Wheaton Fire Department for 42 years, and taking his father’s place was a natural move after
being asked. Bob passed away on December 15 after serving as fire chief for 51 years. Bob had been with the department for 62 years total when he passed away.
Lindy said, “I’m excited and honored that the volunteers have the faith in me to proceed on with what dad’s legacy has
left behind.”
The department’s structure is based on recommendations by the 19 volunteers who serve as the backbone of the fire department. The volunteers make their recommendation to the board. On February 13, the board made the decision to
take the volunteers’ recommendation and ask Lindy to continue on as chief in his father’s shoes. Lindy accepted.
Lindy was assistant chief before being promoted. The new assistant chief is volunteer Ryan Henderson.
Lindy said, “All we’re doing is continuing on. Being named chief is an an honor and a privilege, but I’ll just be going on
ahead with the foundation that my dad laid.”
Lindy isn’t the only of Bob’s successors that serve the department. Lindy’s sons Stuart and Taylor are also volunteers. Stuart has been with the department for 19 years, and Taylor for nine years.
Being a part of the Wheaton Fire Department is so much more than just fighting fires for those who serve. Whether the
Lombard family or any of the other volunteers, being a member of the Wheaton Fire team means a dedication to community that doesn’t end when the fire is out. Wheaton Fire hosts a number of community events, such as the annual fireworks display and community BBQ, that brings the community members together. Fire department volunteers are pillars in the community.
Lindy said his father was the one who taught him the importance volunteering, community and dedication to what
one does.
He said, “It’s all about loving our community. I’ll continue in the community service field as long as I possibly can, I’m
not about to let that tradition change.”
When Bob celebrated his 50th year as chief, Lindy, Stuart and Taylor all shared the same sentiment: Bob modeled the community service spirit that each of them took to heart. The family tradition came from a dedication that Bob just intrinsically had and genuinely showed through how he cared for his community.
During his 50th year celebration, Steve DeCocq, a 24 year Wheaton FD volunteer, said, “He’d be the first guy there and work as hard or harder than everybody else at the scene.”
So when the board approached Lindy, he said there wasn’t really a question. He shared, “It was a nobrainer when I was asked to take the position because I feel like my dad set me in his footsteps on this path.”
During Bob’s time with the department, huge changes took place. The station acquired their first new firetruck in 2005 through a FEMA grant, and they switched from a membershipbased department to tax-funded during his time. Bob and Lindy also stepped up in the 70’s to become EMT-certified so they could volunteer with the ambulance service run by the
McQueen Funeral Home before Barry County had an ambulance district.
With the department on track to continue to be better as the years continue, Lindy said the team he works with is going to help the department continue to be successful in the future. “The group that we have as volunteers is top notch and it’s just a privilege to work with them. I feel like I have some of the best volunteers that you can find,” Lindy shared.
He continued, “All of the volunteers feel the same way that dad did about serving the Wheaton community and our district.”
Lindy’s duties were effective immediately.
The department’s board also made the following promotions: Stuart Lombard from lieutenant to captain and Steven Hendrix from firefighter to lieutenant.