Former Fire Commissioner Hoff Takes Position In Western Suburbs
CAROL STREAM, Ill. (CBS) -- Recently-departed Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff has a new job in west suburban Carol Stream.
The Carol Stream Fire Protection District confirmed Tuesday that Hoff has been hired as a deputy chief. The district covers 15 square miles that encompass all of Carol Stream, and parts of Bloomingdale, Winfield and Glendale Heights.
Hoff abruptly announced his retirement from the Chicago Fire Department less than two weeks ago. He insisted his retirement was for personal reasons, not a dispute with the mayor over staffing.
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But he had vehemently opposed any efforts to close firehouses or reduce the required staffing levels on Chicago fire equipment after the city's inspector general suggested the city could save tens a year by cutting the minimum staffing level of all fire apparatus.
Asked Tuesday if Hoff really left over a dispute about staffing, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said that's not what Hoff told him when he stepped down.
"He himself came to the point, you know, I just don't have it after three decades. I want somebody, which is what we have with Jose Santiago, who's ready to go 24/7, seven days a week, 365 days a year, running the Chicago Fire Department," Emanuel said. "I compliment Bob on … coming to that recognition."
Upon Hoff's resignation, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the promotion of veteran firefighter Jose Santiago to the commissioner's post.
As he takes his new post in Carol Stream, Hoff will have to move within five miles of the fire station within six months.
