Koeppen appointed fire chief in Arlington Heights

Ken Koeppen Named Fire Chief of Arlington Heights

Ken Koeppen, a seasoned firefighter with 34 years of service, has officially been named the new Fire Chief of Arlington Heights. The appointment was announced by Village Manager Bill Dixon and took effect immediately. Koeppen had been serving as Acting Fire Chief since February 2014, following the retirement of former Chief Glenn Ericksen.

Koeppen’s career in the fire department has included a range of leadership positions. He served as Deputy Fire Chief since 2005, Fire Commander from 1998 to 2005, and Fire Lieutenant from 1995 to 1998. Before that, he worked as a firefighter/paramedic since joining the department in 1980.

His dedication and quick thinking were recently recognized when he received the Police Department’s Lifesaver Award on March 20 at the L.W. Calderwood Officer of the Year banquet. The award honored him for his heroic actions during a critical incident on December 12, 2013, when he helped Officer Michael McEvoy after he was shot in the face during a hostage situation. At the time, Koeppen was visiting family nearby and spotted flashing lights, prompting him to rush outside and provide immediate assistance.

"Ken's strong leadership, integrity, and ability to build solid relationships across departments made him an ideal choice for this role," said Village Manager Bill Dixon. "He is deeply committed to public service and will continue to lead with the same professionalism and care that our community has come to expect."

Koeppen is the fifth full-time Fire Chief since the department transitioned from a volunteer force to a professional department in 1958. Over the years, he has played a key role in managing operations, training staff, and responding to emergencies ranging from fires to medical calls and hazardous material incidents.

Now, as the new Fire Chief, Koeppen is eager to continue serving the community he has called home for many years. "I have deep roots in Arlington Heights, and I'm excited to take on this new responsibility," he said. "I’m committed to maintaining the high standards of service our residents deserve and to leading the department with the same passion and dedication I've always shown."

The Arlington Heights Fire Department employs 110 people and offers a wide range of services, including fire suppression, emergency medical response, and rescue operations. The department is organized into four divisions: Administrative, Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical, and Training.