The Oak Creek Fire Protection District is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Gula as its new fire chief. 

Gula began his over 30-year career in fire service in 1989 as a firefighter with the Champaign Fire Department in Illinois before moving up to engineer, lieutenant, captain/training officer and battalion chief of training. By July 2020, he was serving as the department’s deputy chief of operations. By late 2023, he was interim fire chief. 

He also taught for the Illinois Fire Service Institute for nearly 30 years, helping train firefighters across the state in basic skills, leadership and specialized response.

“It is a tremendous honor to join the Oak Creek Fire Protection District as its new fire chief,” Gula said. “I am committed to leading with transparency, integrity and a steadfast focus on the safety and well-being of our firefighters.”

“To the residents of Oak Creek and the Stagecoach area, I want you to know that my door is always open,” he continued. “Building trust, strengthening partnerships, and serving this community with excellence will be at the heart of everything we do.”

“Together, we will continue to advance our capabilities in emergency medical services, wildland firefighting and community risk reduction while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and service,” Gula added.