Ill. fire chief suddenly leaves his post

By Greg Canfield
Chicago Tribune

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Performance-related issues are behind the sudden departure of Naperville Fire Chief John Wu, but city officials are not disclosing specifics.

Wu left the post he had held since October 2002 on Wednesday, and Assistant Fire Chief Mike Zywanski was appointed acting chief by City Manager Pro Tem Bob Marshall, who would not say whether Wu resigned or was fired.

"I'm not putting any label on it other than to say that Chief Wu is no longer employed by the City of Naperville," Marshall said Thursday.

Mayor George Pradel said he could not comment on a personnel matter but acknowledged he and the City Council "back our city manager." On a personal level, he praised Wu.

"He's a fine, fine person," Pradel said. "I have great admiration for him and wish him well."

Wu joined the city after serving as fire chief in Sugarland, Texas. He also spent 17 years working for the Boulder, Colo., Fire Department, where his assignments included assistant fire marshal and administrative division chief.

Wu faced disciplinary action in November 2006 when he was suspended with pay after being arrested and charged with domestic battery for allegedly punching his son in the stomach. He resumed his duties as chief on Dec. 18, 2006, and the charge was dropped when the Wu family agreed in court to attend counseling.

The Naperville Fire Department has long had an outstanding reputation. It is one of the select few in the U.S. to have accreditation status from the Commission on Fire Service Accreditation International.

Marshall said that reputation remains intact and does "thank Chief Wu for his 5 1/2 years of service."

The process of hiring a permanent successor has yet to be determined. Marshall said he will meet next week with the city's personnel department to determine what steps must be taken.