New Geneva Fire Department Leadership Team To Be Sworn In Next Week

GENEVA, IL — The Geneva Fire Department's new fire chief and deputy chief will take the ranks Aug. 17 following their swearing-in ceremony at the City Council meeting.

Matt Lohse, the current deputy chief, was unanimously appointed in May to succeed Chief Mike Antenore, who will retire Aug. 14 after 30 years with the fire department and 10 as chief.

A 27-year veteran of the department, Lohse has risen through the ranks, beginning as a firefighter, then moving to lieutenant in 2015 and later deputy chief in 2023.

Antenore credited Lohse for his understanding of the department's operational structure, his progressive leadership and his commitment to maintaining the highest level of service to the community.

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Hernandez will bring more than 25 years of experience in emergency services to his new role as deputy chief. He most recently served as the fire chief at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, where he oversaw fire protection, emergency medical services, emergency management and organizational preparedness for one of the country's premier research facilities.

A Geneva resident for more than two decades, Hernandez has served as a paramedic and paid-on-call firefighter with the Geneva Fire Department since 2017. He has also supported the department in fire prevention and investigation, officials said.

The Geneva Fire Department comprises 21 full-time and eight contract firefighters and paramedics as well as more than 35 paid-on-call firefighters.

The community is invited to meet Lohse and Hernandez at an open house Aug. 17 at City Hall, 109 James St. The event, featuring refreshments, will be held from 5-6:30 p.m., preceding the City Council meeting set to start at 7 p.m.