Niles Fire Department Says Goodbyes, Hello

 The Niles Fire Department has seen a lot of changes this month, with Fire Chief Barry Mueller and three others retiring. Steve Borkowski, who served as deputy chief for the past four years, is now the acting chief.

Mueller, who became chief in 2006, is followed into retirement by John Zeman, a district chief, as well as by Tom Seelos and Robert Pierski, both fire apparatus engineers.

Pierski, who has served in the department since 1976, was honored at October's village board meeting.

Borkowski started with the fire department in October 1981. Since then, he has climbed the proverbial ladder, being promoted to lieutenant in 1989, district chief in 1999 and deputy chief in 2006. He will now be in charge of the department's nearly 60 employees.

Note: Visit Niles Patch next week for a story and video in which Mueller describes some dramatic fires and rescues during his nearly 30-year career with the department.