On Monday night at Village Hall, the room was filled to capacity as four members of the Park Forest Fire Department were promoted during a ceremony that opened the village board meeting. These promotions come in light of recent retirements, including that of longtime Fire Chief Tracy Natyshok, marking a new chapter in the department’s leadership.

Deputy Chief Mark Cotrano was appointed as the Village’s new fire chief. Cotrano began his fire service career in 2003 and joined Park Forest in 2007. Over the years, he has progressed through the ranks, serving as lieutenant, shift commander, and deputy chief. He holds a bachelor’s degree in fire service management from Southern Illinois University, along with numerous officer and specialty certifications. His wife, Katie, pinned his new badge, with their five children present.

Succeeding Cotrano as deputy chief is Taylor Bordewyk, who started with Park Forest in 2007 as a firefighter/paramedic. A former U.S. Army sergeant, Bordewyk has 18 years of service with the department and has earned a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science Management from Columbia Southern University. His wife, Amy, pinned his badge during the ceremony.

Kevin Grove was promoted from lieutenant/paramedic to shift commander/paramedic. Grove began his career in 2006 with Crete Township and has served Park Forest since 2011. He is responsible for coordinating emergency responses, federal fire reporting, and maintaining the department’s radio equipment. His wife, Lindsay, along with their children Emily and Brandon, helped with the pinning of his badge.

Finally, Firefighter/Paramedic Tom Marconi was promoted to lieutenant. Marconi began his career as a paid-on-call firefighter in 2009 and joined the department full-time in 2015. He holds an associate’s degree in Fire Science and currently serves as the training officer for the department’s Gray Cart team. His wife, Alisa, pinned his badge with their children, Eliana and Luca, present.

The ceremony received enthusiastic applause from trustees, staff, and residents as the Village celebrated the new leadership team of the Fire Department.