New Lenox Fire District Finalizes Command Promotions and Secures New Live-Fire Training Site

New Lenox Fire Protection District Meeting | March 16, 2026

Article Summary:
The New Lenox Fire Protection District officially elevated several members to key leadership roles, finalizing the promotion of Brian Applegate to the rank of Deputy Chief. To ensure ongoing operational readiness, the District also announced the acquisition of a residential property on Cedar Road to conduct upcoming live-fire training exercises.

District Personnel and Training Key Points:

• Command Promotions: Brian Applegate was officially promoted from Battalion Chief to Deputy Chief, and Dan Vanek was promoted from Lieutenant to Battalion Chief.

• Officer Advancements: Luke Wroblewski was promoted from the rank of Firefighter to Lieutenant.

• New Hires: The District appointed Salomon Tudryn as a District Firefighter and extended a conditional offer to a candidate named Harms.

• Acquired Training Facility: Newly promoted Deputy Chief Applegate announced the District obtained a house at the intersection of Cedar and Laraway Roads for a MABAS 19 drill and subsequent live-fire training.

The New Lenox Fire Protection District Board of Trustees on Monday, March 16, 2026, celebrated a major restructuring of its command staff and the expansion of its front-line personnel, while announcing a unique hands-on training opportunity for its crews.

Fire Commissioner Marty Terlep provided the Board with a comprehensive update on the Commission’s recent personnel actions. Terlep reported that during a February 25 meeting, the Commission officially executed a series of cascading command promotions.

Brian Applegate was formally promoted from Battalion Chief to Deputy Chief, filling a secondary Deputy Chief role established by the Board late last year. Concurrently, Dan Vanek was promoted from Lieutenant to Battalion Chief to backfill Applegate’s former position, and Luke Wroblewski was promoted from Firefighter to Lieutenant.

Addressing the Board during his first official Deputy Chief’s Report, Applegate thanked the Trustees for the promotion.

“I am looking forward to making a positive impact and working with the staff,” Applegate said.

Applegate immediately highlighted an upcoming operational initiative, informing the Board that the District successfully obtained a house located at Cedar and Laraway Roads for dedicated training purposes. Applegate noted that the structure will be utilized for a Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) 19 drill next week, which will be followed by full live-fire training exercises.

In addition to the command promotions, Terlep reported that the Commission is actively working through its eligibility list to fill open shifts. The District officially appointed Salomon Tudryn to the role of District Firefighter. Furthermore, background checks were recently reviewed for six additional firefighter candidates. On March 9, the Commission reviewed a background check and extended a conditional offer for a district firefighter spot to a candidate identified as Harms.

“Congratulations on all the promotions,” Trustee Scanlan said during the closing comments. “This is exciting times.”