On Friday, September 12 a retirement ceremony was held at the headquarters firehouse for retiring deputy chief Tim Jones. A crowd of more than 100 active and alumni members as well as family and friends gathered for the ceremony and presentation of gifts.

DC Jones Retirement Speech
Delivered by Chief Smith

“The job of any organized fire department is the protection of life and property against the hazards of fire, wind, water and other calamities to which property and human beings are subjugated at any and all times, fair weather and foul.”

These words have sworn in every firefighter who has served the Prospect Heights Fire District for more than fifty years.

We are here today to pay honor to deputy fire chief, Tim Jones.
With 43 years of dedicated service, the past 25 as deputy chief, there is much to honor and celebrate.

I first met Tim in 1979 through Scouting.
In 1982 he joined as a cadet and become a full firefighter the next year.
In 1989 he was promoted to lieutenant.
In 1992 he was promoted to district chief.
In 2000 he was promoted to deputy chief.
On September 1, 2001 he and I began as full-time deputy chiefs.

Author Ralph Waldo Emerson once said “Nothing great is achieved without enthusiasm.”
• In 1984 voters approved a tax increase to fund a new paramedic ambulance service. In 1985 the paramedic ambulance service began with two volunteer firefighter/paramedics working part-time every day. Tim was one of those first paramedics. Back then we were the two-guys fire department.
• About 1990 Tim took over bookkeeping duties for the board of trustees. His experience in banking proved helpful.
• In 1991 voters approved a $1 million bond that included the renovation of and an addition to the firehouse. Tim managed that construction.
• In 1998 voters approved the consolidation of the Prospect Heights Rural Fire Protection District with the Palwaukee Area Fire Protection District forming the new Prospect Heights Fire Protection District. As a result, an east side firehouse was needed and Tim managed the establishment of a temporary firehouse at the city’s public works facility then a more robust version in a rented building until the current, permanent firehouse on Wolf Road was constructed in 2023, a project Tim also managed.

As a resident of the city spanning four decades, Tim is well-known to many. He was once the Citizen of the Year.

During the past 25 years Tim has given back to the community leading the annual Secret Santa program for needy families as well as working with the police association to coordinate the annual police and fire golf outing that benefits youth programs for young residents.

In addition to his service to the PHFD, over the past three decades, Tim served on the City of Prospect Heights’ Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals as well as the Prospect Heights Park District’s board of commissioners.

The firefighters and officers as well as the citizens of the fire district have been well-served by Tim’s dedication. Thank you. Congratulations. Enjoy your retirement. It is well deserved.