Know Your Neighbor: Highland Fire, EMS Chief Brian Wilson
Though having never strayed far from his original full time job, Highland Fire Department and EMS Chief Brian Wilson gathered a plethora of associated experiences which can only compliment his current position and ability to serve well.
He was the fourth child born to Boyde and Rita Wilson on Dec. 27, 1957, in Waukegan. Brian had three older siblings — Donald, Ann Marie and Mark; and one younger brother — David. Brian spent much time fishing with his father, who worked for the Dept. of the Army, while his mother was a homemaker. Other times Brian could be found playing neighborhood baseball.
While a junior high student, Brian and his family relocated to Northern Chicago and he attended North Chicago Community High School, where he excelled in math and history; he graduated in 1976. Prior to this and while a senior, Brian earned a little money while working part time as a gas station attendant for the owner, Larry Bridges, who was also a fireman.
Bridges was observing his young protégé begin associating with some unsavory fellows and one day invited him to join him for a weekly training session of firefighters. Brian agreed to accompany Bridges.
“Well, that was it for me,” said Brian. “They welcomed me and included me even though I was only 17 years old. I then had a goal and decided I would achieve it.”
He got physically fit and tested in 1977. Three hundred young men were vying for 17 open full time positions at the Waukegan Fire Dept. Brian landed slot number seven. He was the youngest full-time firefighter in Waukegan’s history.
He went through eight weeks of training, then began attending paramedic school: He had already become an emergency medical technician. Graduating in 1980, he transferred to Lake Forest and spent exactly the next 21 years there, retiring in 2001. Brian credits his mother with having instilled tenacity and his father for a good work ethic of getting the job done; and of course, Bridges, for his encouragement.
In 1983, Brian was attending a fire department family get together and could not help but notice Pat Pennacchia, who had “penetrating hazel eyes that absolutely grabbed you when you looked at her and you didn’t want to look away,” said Brian. “She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen and she still is. She has a huge heart to help anybody and I married her on July 17, 1989.”
Both having been previously married, they became a blended family with six children: Brian Jr., Amanda, Randy, Becky, Matthew and John.
In March 2001, Brian took a temporary chief’s position in. Minturn, Colorado. The small town informed Brian they were contemplating a combination of an adjacent district. But Brian chose to become deputy fire chief in December 2001 for College Park, Georgia, to be nearer his aging ailing parents. He left there as chief four years later.
Making the move to the metro-east
Now it was Pat’s parents in need of assistance and they lived in Northern Illinois. Eventually they ended up in Edwardsville and Brian served as their fire chief for 10 years. He also worked as for the Illinois State Police from 2004 through 2010. Then, Brian became the Fire Service Intelligence Officer of Illinois under the direction of the Illinois State Police Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center.
His job duties included traveling around Illinois training others for his capacity of forming groups which included the private sector, public health, emergency management, fire and police in order for all departments to create a broader spectrum with well-rounded viewpoints to address the ever-changing society.
In 2015, Brian was informed Highland needed an EMS chief. They relocated to Highland and, when former Fire Chief Rick Bloemker retired in December 2018, Highland blended the fire department and EMS. Brian became chief over both departments with the official title of chief of emergency services.
Brian acknowledges first responders often “see things no one should ever have to see.” But he also references some interesting and humorous situations of his career.
Reflecting on past situations
He recalls his time in Lake Forest, which he said was a very affluent area, they received a complaint about Lawrence Tero, Mr. T., who intentionally chopped down most of the trees on his estate except for one hanging precariously over the roadway. When contacted, the celebrity was not the gruff person as he is perceived by some and told Brian he would have to confer with his wife. Ultimately the tree was removed.
During a recent incident, Brian was summoned to the home of an elderly man who thought his smoke detector was beeping even after he had removed them all. Informing the resident the batteries needed replacement, Brian thought the man understood and the problem was resolved. A couple days later, the gentleman called back with the same concern, stating, “the hole where the detector had been was still beeping.”
Brian checked it out and heard no sound. In order to calm the man, Brian gave him his personal cell phone number and told the home owner to call him if and when it happened again. That night, at 11:30 p.m. Brian received the call. He went to the residence and finally solved the mystery. An alarm clock was located on a dresser with the alarm set for 11:30 a.m. and p.m., and was causing the chirping noise.
‘No embarrassment to need help’; about Brian Wilson
For the horrendous calls, crashes, fires and other heinous situations, Brian urges his team of 30 to interact with the Critical Incident Stress Debrief personnel.
“It’s no embarrassment to need help,” said Brian. “It’s like a splint for the brain.”
In addition to being chief, husband, ordained minister and father, he is also a grandfather to six grandchildren: Naomi, Kaitlyn, Zoey, Kyle, Kolbie and Journee. He and Pat have been raising 13-year-old Naomi since her birth.
Other than an unexpected stroke detected last February only because of Pat’s observant eyes, Brian enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, golfing and do-it-yourself home improvements.