DeKalb Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hoyle retires after 30 years

DeKALB – Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hoyle got to roll out and fight one last fire after 30 years in service.

Friends, family and other city employees crowded into the garage of DeKalb Fire Station No. 1 Friday to help Hoyle celebrate his retirement. Cars lined the adjoining side streets of the station as people trickled in to say goodbye and good luck to Hoyle.

“It was kind of fun to roll out of here and catch one more fire,” Hoyle said of the Thursday call for an apartment fire at a building in the 700 block of Lucinda Avenue. “Nobody was hurt. It was a pretty small fire. So it was exciting.”

Fire Chief Eric Hicks got a bit misty giving a farewell speech.

“Every chief needs a good No. 2,” Hicks said, pausing to wipe tears from his eyes. DeKalb’s second Deputy Fire Chief Jeff McMaster took it from there, reading Hicks’ speech.

“Over the past four years, Greg has always supported me and had my back,” he read. “This is the kind of loyalty that makes or breaks a fire chief.”

Hoyle said he plans to continue to live in DeKalb, but will take a month off to decompress before deciding what to do in retirement. His first day with the DeKalb Fire Department was Jan. 14, 1986.

“I’m just going to take it easy for awhile,” he said. “And I’ll figure it out from there.”

City officials came out to congratulate Hoyle on Friday as well.

“Good fire service doesn’t just happen,” Mayor John Rey said. “It takes a good leadership team. Greg’s leadership offered a number of accomplishments. I commend Greg for 30 years of service.”

Hoyle said that while he wouldn’t miss fighting fires in extreme heat or cold winter temperatures, he would miss the camaraderie among the firefighters.

“I never had a brother,” he said. “DeKalb Fire Department was the brother I never had. I’ll cherish the relationships that I’ve had. … This place is a little like a fraternity.”

Friends and coworkers shared his brotherly sentiments Friday.

“Greg has what it takes,” Tony Cox, battalion chief at the DeKalb Fire Department, said. “I have learned a lot from him. When you look around this room, it represents what he is about.”