La Salle deputy fire chief Charlie Lishewski retires; Dale Tieman tapped as replacement

After nearly half a century with the La Salle Fire Department, Assistant Chief Charlie Lishewski retired.

The city he served celebrated his many years as a fireman with a plaque and recognition during Monday’s City Council meeting, also naming his successor.

“We are here (Monday) to honor Lishewski on his retirement after a 49-year career with the city of La Salle fire department,” Fire Chief Jerry Janick said. “He started his career in 1972. Back in 1972 the fire department was dispatched by landline telephones in houses.”

Lishewski has much change in his career with the department as Janick said.

From the way the firemen are notified, which has evolved to pagers where the firefighter can notify the station they are on their way at the press of a button, to the breathing apparatuses that were once heavy, lower-pressured tube masks changing to a lightweight carbon fiber model with a heads-up display, Lishewski has witnessed a growth in firefighting.

“To say that things changed is kind of an understatement,” Janick said. “Things changed a lot through Lishewski’s career, but the one thing that didn’t change was his commitment to the fire department.”

Lishewski was reliable throughout his career, to the point where other firemen would question if he was all right on the rare occasion he ever missed a call, according to Janick.

While many throughout the city have come to know Lishewski for his commitment and reliability, at one time or another, Janick also said Lishewski’s dedication to being a mentor to younger and fellow department members is something that can’t be overlooked.

“I just want to thank him for all he’s done for the fire department and thank him for his leadership,” Janick said. “I wanted to thank him for being a mentor for the people that have gone before him.”

“I personally want to thank Lishewski for mentoring me throughout my career. It means a lot.”

Janick also wanted to thank Lishewski’s wife, Rhonda, for sharing him with the department throughout his career with La Salle.

Lishewski’s impact on the department and the city was apparent Monday and many gathered in the council chambers.

“I just want to thank the firemen that I worked with all of these years,” Lishewski said. “The retired firemen, the new ones, the medics and the part-timers, they all make the city of La Salle proud. Thank you all.”

The council members accepted the retirement, with regret, as they wished Lishewski the best of luck and enjoyment in his retirement.

“With all the people here, it says a lot right there,” said Mayor Jeff Grove. “No words are necessary when you see all the people that came out to honor and respect you, congratulations.”

With the vacancy left by Lishewski’s retirement, the city wasted no time in appointing new Assistant Fire Chief Dale Tieman.

“Tieman has more than shown his commitment to the city in the past 30 years that he’s been on,” Janick said. “I respect Tieman as a paid on call firefighter and it takes a lot now for people to commit to that.”

Janick added Tieman has risen through the ranks and he believes he is ready.

“When Chief Janick said that Tieman was going to be his recommendation for Assistant Chief, I thought it was a perfect selection,” Grove said. “I think it’s very important to show how important leaders have been here.”