Koeppen appointed fire chief in Arlington Heights

Ken Koeppen Named New Fire Chief of Arlington Heights

The Village of Arlington Heights has officially named Ken Koeppen as its new Fire Chief, effective immediately. The announcement was made by Village Manager Bill Dixon, who highlighted Koeppen's extensive experience and leadership within the department.

Koeppen has been with the fire department for over three decades, joining in 1980 as a firefighter/paramedic. Over the years, he has climbed the ranks, serving in various key positions, including Fire Lieutenant from 1995 to 1998, Fire Commander from 1998 to 2005, and Deputy Fire Chief since 2005. Prior to his appointment as Fire Chief, he had been acting in that role since February 2014, following the retirement of former Chief Glenn Ericksen.

In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Koeppen has also been recognized for his bravery and quick thinking. On December 12, 2013, he came to the aid of Officer Michael McEvoy, who had been shot during a hostage situation. Koeppen was visiting family nearby when he noticed emergency lights and rushed to help. He was later honored with the Police Department’s Lifesaver Award at the L.W. Calderwood Officer of the Year banquet on March 20, 2014, for his life-saving actions.

"Ken’s integrity, dedication, and ability to build strong relationships across departments make him an ideal leader for our fire department," said Village Manager Bill Dixon. "He has shown time and again that he is ready to lead with excellence."

Koeppen is the fifth Fire Chief since the department transitioned from a volunteer force to a full-time paid department in 1958. Throughout his career, he has managed operations, trained personnel, conducted arson investigations, and responded to a wide range of emergencies—from fires to medical calls and hazardous material incidents.

Currently, the Arlington Heights Fire Department employs 110 people and provides essential services such as fire protection, emergency medical response, and rescue operations. The department is organized into four divisions: Administrative, Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical, and Training.

Speaking about his new role, Koeppen said, "I have deep roots in this community, and I am committed to delivering the highest level of service to the residents of Arlington Heights. I’m excited to lead the department and continue the tradition of excellence that our community deserves."