Fire Captain Geoff Block is being promoted to division chief in Evanston’s Fire and Life-Safety Services Department.
The promotion, which is effective March 14, was announced today by Evanston Fire Chief Greg Klaiber.
Klaiber said Block’s dedication and commitment to the city and the department throughout his 24-year career will bring needed experience and complete the command staff structure.
Block fills the vacancy left when Division Chief Ronn Gannon retired after 29 years of service in October.
Block’s duties will include responsibility for the department’s training, professional standards and administrative services for the 110 member department.
Block joined the department in 1987 as a firefighter/paramedic. In 2006, he was promoted to fire captain/paramedic.
In addition to his fire suppression duties as a captain, he was responsible for implementing the software and mobile computer system used by firefighters when responding to incidents.
Block has been a member of the MABAS Division 3 Hazardous Materials Response Team and also is a member of the Division 3 Fire Investigation Strike Force.
Since 2008, Block has been assigned to the department’s inspectional services providing building inspections, system acceptance tests for fire and life safety systems and conducting fire and arson investigations. Block has a degree in Fire Science Management from Southern Illinois University.