Palatine Says Goodbye To Fire Chief Falardeau

Palatine Fire Chief Robert Falardeau retired after serving the village for more than 31 years.

Falardeau, 58, began as a firefighter and paramedic with the department in 1980. He worked his way up through the ranks, becoming chief in 2009.

"I could not have done it without you," Falardeau said to the many firefighters who were in attendance at Monday's Village Council meeting. "It is the consummate team sport to be a firefighter. We had the best team around in my opinion."

During Falardeau's tenure as chief , replacing the station at 455 W. Dundee Rd. The $2.9 million station was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

Falardeau also contended with an . Several positions within the department were eliminated since 2009. Intergovernmental agreements were developed with Lake Zurich and Deer Park to better serve the Lake-Cook Road corridor, despite the budget issues.

Falardeau said the budget likely would be incoming chief Scott Andersen's biggest challenge.

"He's an outstanding leader," Falardeau said. "I think he will do an absolutely stellar job."

Andersen, 45, served as deputy chief of operations under Falardeau. Andersen, who became chief Monday night, has worked for Palatine for 20 years.

Andersen thanked Falardeau and made a pledge to the firefighters who were in attendance: "I am here to serve you guys first so that you can continue to deliver the services that our residents have come to expect and the you guys expect to deliver."

Faradeau does not have immediate plans for his retirement, except to focus on his three adult children, his grandchildren and his wife of more than 30 years, Teri.

"I wouldn't do it differently. I was very fortunate to have such a great career and serve the people of Palatine," Falardeau said.