Downers Grove fire chief reflects on 30 years of service

DOWNERS GROVE – Downers Grove Fire Chief Jim Jackson looks ahead one week and wonders if he'll be able to keep his emotions in check.

“I don’t know if I’m going to keep it together,” Jackson said, as he discusses his Aug. 31 badge retirement ceremony at Fire Station No. 2., 5420 S. Main St.

Jackson is retiring after a 30-year run with the department, the final eight as chief.

During the ceremony, the Fire Department’s honor guard will escort Jackson to a case where he will place his badge alongside those of other retired Downers Grove firefighters.

The guard will then accompany Jackson to greet members of his family. The ceremony symbolizes the transition of a retiring firefighter, he said.

The flag at the station will be lowered and presented to Jackson by his son, Jim Jackson Jr., who recently joined the department.

“Knowing that he is starting here and I’ll be ending here is fantastic,” said Jackson, a resident of New Lenox.

Jackson said he’s ready for retirement but knows he’ll miss the village and department.

“I started when I was 22 years old,” Jackson said. “The 31st is my last day. I absolutely love this place. My heart is here. My roots are here. We have such a great time here.”

Leading the Fire Department when it achieved ISO I status and advancements in fire prevention are the accomplishments of which Jackson is most proud.

“We updated apartment building fire codes and added smoke detectors,” Jackson said. “Before, they had nothing.”

Jackson said he constantly stressed personal growth and development to firefighters.

“One of the things I preach is ‘make it your own,’” he said, adding he practiced a participatory form of leadership. "A chief can't sit at the top and say, 'We're doing this today.'"

Under Jackson’s leadership, the department established nationally recognized education programs. He also brought advancements in technology, community outreach, labor relations and data-based initiatives for the community.

Jackson began his career in Downers Grove in 1987. He rose through the ranks as firefighter, lieutenant and deputy chief. He was named interim fire chief in 2009 and became chief in February 2010. Jackson also served as president of the DuPage Fire Chiefs Association.

Downers Grove officials said Jackson will be missed.

“He did a lot for the village with his leadership, experience and dedication to the job,” commissioner William Waldack said. “He started out as a kid. Directly or indirectly, you know he saved a lot of lives.”

Commissioner Greg Hose echoed Waldack’s sentiments.

“He’s done a tremendous job during his career in Downers Grove,” Hose said. “He’s interacted with people well.”

Jackson has no specific plans for retirement, although he's thinking about playing golf.

"I'm going to get to know my family again," said the father of four.