Kankakee Mayor Selects Garrick Kasper for Fire Chief, Pending Council Approval (Kankakee, IL) — Mayor Christopher W. Curtis has selected Garrick Kasper, a Kankakee resident who leads the Oak Forest Fire Department, to become the city’s next fire chief following a search that drew 23 internal and external candidates.
Kasper would succeed retiring Fire Chief Bryan LaRoche, who delayed his departure by eight weeks to maintain continuity in the department. Curtis announced the selection Oct. 15 and plans to place the appointment on the City Council’s Oct. 19 agenda. If approved by the 14-member council, Kasper would take over Monday, Nov. 2.
Kasper brings 30 years of fire service and public service experience to the position, according to the mayor’s office. He has served with the Oak Forest Fire Department for more than 25 years and became its fire chief in October 2021 after previously serving as interim chief and deputy chief.
His background also includes service with the Otto Township Fire Protection District, Flossmoor Fire Department and Country Club Hills Fire Department. Over the past decade, his work has focused on department administration, operations, personnel, training, budgeting and emergency response.
“Garrick Kasper brings extensive experience in fire service leadership, department operations, and emergency response,” Curtis said in the announcement. “I look forward to welcoming him to the City of Kankakee and working with him as we continue our commitment to public safety and the well-being of our residents.”
Curtis described choosing the department’s next leader as a difficult decision, citing the strength of the candidates and the ideas they presented during interviews.
“The decision and process to find our newest fire chief for the City of Kankakee was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had as Mayor of the City of Kankakee,” Curtis said.
He said candidates offered the interview committee ideas for advancing the department, which he described as among the best in Illinois.
The mayor also recognized LaRoche’s role in supporting the transition. LaRoche postponed his retirement for eight weeks to ensure the department retained consistent leadership, according to the announcement. Curtis thanked the outgoing chief for his service and commitment, noting that LaRoche had worked alongside him and the administration team since Curtis was elected mayor in 2021.
The department will still have another leadership position to fill after the chief’s appointment. The deputy fire chief position will remain vacant temporarily, and Curtis said he will work with the new chief to fill it in the near future.
Kankakee Mayor Selects Garrick Kasper for Fire Chief, Pending Council Approval
