By Steve Lord
The Beacon-News
AURORA, Ill. — There were smiles, applause and a few tears this week as the Aurora City Council approved appointments for two key positions at the Aurora Fire Department.
Aldermen voted unanimously to appoint Battalion Chief John Gilbert as deputy fire chief and Capt. Javan Cross as fire marshal.
Gilbert is replacing former Deputy Chief Tom Griener, who retired along with former Fire Chief John Lehman earlier this year.
Lehman was replaced by new Fire Chief Gary Krienitz, who was Aurora’s fire marshal. Cross is replacing Krienitz as fire marshal.
Cross is a 1991 graduate of East Aurora High School, and has served in the Aurora Fire Department for 18 years. Beginning as a firefighter and paramedic in 1997, Cross also became a fire investigator in 2004. He served in those dual roles until 2009, when he was promoted to lieutenant. Five years later, in 2014, he was promoted to captain.
While his wife, children and parents looked on, Cross said he would continue to serve with the professionalism that has marked his career.
Gilbert has been with the Aurora Fire Department for 27 years, beginning as a firefighter and paramedic in 1989. In 2003, he was promoted to lieutenant, and in 2010, he was promoted to captain and was the commanding officer of Engine and Medic 5. In 2014, Gilbert became battalion chief.
His wife and children watched as he took his oath of office, and there were even a few tears by both Gilbert and his family.
Gilbert drew laughter when he pointed out that “there’s going to be some adjustment working for my new boss, because I was his superior officer.”
“We’ll work it out,” Krienitz said, laughing.
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