Oak Park has found its next fire chief in JT Terry, an 18-year veteran of the department.
Terry is taking over leadership of the Oak Park Fire Department from Ron Kobyleski, who’d served as fire chief since November of 2021. Terry had most recently served as Oak Park’s deputy fire chief of EMS operations and infectious disease, according to the village.
His first official day on the job is June 16, according to the village.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as Fire Chief and continue representing all the dedicated members of the Village of Oak Park Fire,” said Terry. “It is an honor to lead such a committed and professional team. Together we will continue to provide the highest level of services to the residents and visitors of our community that they have come to expect and deserve.”
Terry was at the forefront of the village’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, serving six months as Oak Park’s interim public health director and holding the position of emergency operations center operations section chief during the pandemic response, in which he oversaw “mass vaccination operations and supporting some of Oak Park’s most vulnerable residents,” according to the village.
Terry holds an undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a master’s degree in threat and response management from the University of Chicago and is currently enrolled in the Executive Fire officer training program at the National Fire Academy.
Since 2023, Terry has sat on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance for Mental Health Metro Suburban and last year he was named to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Stroke Advisory Subcommittee. He has also been active as a local youth baseball and softball coach, according to the village.
“JT Terry has earned the trust of our community and the respect of colleagues across departments through his dedication, innovative thinking and collaborative leadership,” said Village Manager Kevin Jackson. “He brings not only the technical expertise that is essential in this role, but also a deep understanding of Oak Park’s values and aspirations along with an orientation toward innovation and service excellence. JT has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead with compassion, build strong partnerships and respond effectively under pressure. I am confident that under his leadership, our Fire Department will continue to set the standard for excellence, while also evolving to meet the changing needs of our community.”