Chief Galen Bennett joined the department in June of 1979 as a volunteer. He became full-time in November of 1981 and was promoted to Shift Lieutenant on C Shift in January of 1986 and to Deputy Chief on December 30th 2007 and on August 16, 2008 he was promoted to Chief. His certifications include Paramedic, Firefighter III, Fire Officer II, Pediatric Advanced Life support and Pre Hospital Trauma Management. He is an instructor in CPR, First Aid, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Galen is a life long resident of the Byron area. He and his wife Denise have two children, Kelli, Kole and grand daughter Abbi. In his off time from the fire department he works at his vinyl graphics and sign business known as GK Graphics. He also enjoys golf and NASCAR .

gbennett@es-il.org