PHS Alumni Spotlight:
Shawn Sollberger, Class of 1992
Chief, Peoria Fire Department

The Alumni Association sat down for a chat with Peoria High School Alumnus, Shawn Sollberger, Chief of the Peoria Fire Department.  Shawn has been Chief since 2022, and leads one of the finest fire departments in the State of Illinois.  Peoria is lucky to have such an experienced department.  It is manned by other Peoria High School Alumni also.  Chief Sollberger and I met on Memorial Day a few years ago and realized we both graduated from Peoria High School.  I guess you could say this particular Memorial Day Ceremony had Chief Sollberger there and the two speakers were both Peoria High School graduates.  Federal Judge Jim Shadid, 75 and I both spoke at the event.  I wonder how many more PHS graduates were in the audience.  The Master of Ceremonies was Councilman Chuck Grayeb, Class of '67 and also my economics teacher during my years at PHS.  It was an honor to interview Chief Sollberger.  The Alumni Association is very proud of Chief Sollberger and his climb to the top of the Peoria Fire Department.

​

Hope you enjoy our little chat!

​

Bill Robertson, Class of '78

President, Peoria High School Alumni Association

​

Q: Tell us a little about yourself growing up in Peoria.

​

A:   I use to always say born and raised in Peoria. That is not entirely true. My father was in the Air Force and I was born in Omaha, NE. We lived there for 3 months and then came back to Peoria, IL. I attended grade school at Woodrow Wilson and then middle school at Sterling. 4 years of high school at Peoria High. I played all kinds of sports growing up but had a natural draw to baseball and basketball. With my father and grandfather being Peoria firefighters as well, I grew up with a strong sense of community and devoting time to your school, neighborhood and church.

Q:   Were their teachers or other mentors at Peoria High that may have lit the flame (no pun intended) to pursue Fire Science.  Any message for your teachers at PHS? (Keep it clean:) LOL.

​

A:  I had such a great experience at Peoria High to be honest. My Spanish teacher Señora Nelson was memorable because she had so much energy and compassion for teaching. Doctor Genge with Geometry really moved me into loving math and science. My passion for fire science most definitely started after high school while attending Illinois Central College.

​

Q:  Following Peoria High what courses did you take to complete your education.

​

A:   I attended Illinois Central College for three years. I know, I know. It is a two-year junior college LOL. I started down the road of physical therapy/athletic training. My father convinced me to take one fire science course my third semester and I was hooked. I graduated with two Associates degrees and a plethora of certificates from Hazardous Materials to Fireground operations. I also received my EMT-Basic license and my Intermediate training and education on the medical side.

​

Q:  How difficult was the testing to be hired on the Peoria FD?

​

A:  When I tested back in 1996, the environment was completely different to now. We did the written exam at the Civic Center and there were over 800 applicants. Very intimidating. When complete, you stood in line with your scan tron sheet and they told you right there in front of everyone whether you passed or failed. Fortunately, I passed! Then two weeks later you took the physical portion, the Combat Challenge. This unique obstacle course had to be completed in less than 6 minutes or you failed. Middle of summer, at the Training Tower, dozens of people in attendance, including the Fire Chief! Wow. I passed and that pushed me to an interview process with the Fire and Police Commission. The whole process went by so fast and it was very intimidating but the reward of being hired by the City of Peoria was motivating.

​

Q:  You worked your way up through the ranks. Were you recognized as a knowledgeable leader in the Fire Department?

​

A:  There is a cliché that has carried on through our department for decades and generations, “Leave it better than you found it”. I had great leadership to look up to everyday and I did not have to look much further than my own father. He was a great leader for the fire department and I tried to mirror his passion and work ethic. Once I made it through probation, I got on a few labor management committees to learn and be a part of internal processes. With two years on the job, I ran for Trustee of the Union Executive Board and was elected. I served as a Trustee and Shift Steward for 16 years while on the streets. I helped to negotiate three labor management contracts, which I am most proud of honestly. I always tried to lead by example, while not perfect, recognizing the need for daily leadership for our community. I was promoted early to all ranks from Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief and then Division Chief. To do that, you have to lead every single day.

​

Q:  Chief just doesn’t happen. What were the qualities you think put you over the top for selection?

A:  I believe some qualities helped me along the way as I described earlier. Leadership is needed at all ranks, and I believe I displayed that throughout my career. Being involved!  Whether that is through the department, the Union or the community, I signed up for just about everything. Ask my wife LOL. Having a good attitude and a strong work ethic can take you a long way in work and life. I started taking management classes in 2017 and 2018 and received a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia Southern in Fire Administration and Fire Investigation in 2021. What an experience. Couple that with being certified as an Underwater Rescue Diver, a Hazardous Materials Technician and certified in Technical Rescue, I was part of a unique group of firefighters that were certified in all aspects of firefighter training.

Q:  What is your vision for the Peoria FIre Department? Is it ensure we hire the best and most capable employees? To develop a long range plan to keep the department leading edge in the acquisition of equipment?

​

A:  Funny story about my vision. When I was in my unique interim phase and applying for the full time position as the Fire Chief, I wrote a paper, My Vision for the Peoria Fire Department. I wanted to be able to put pen to paper and articulate what I wanted the fire department to be under my leadership. Scary, right?? HAHA. Recruitment and retention are challenges now for all fire departments to find the best suited to do this job. The environment in less competitive than it once was. We recruit Peoria first and expand past that. We have a Fire Explorer program to educated middle school and high school students early on the profession. I am happy to say that one of my initiatives we just started last year. Our Fire Apprenticeship program. This takes 18-21 year old young adults and recruits them into the fire service as an apprentice. It has been highly successful from the start and we have hired two apprentices already full time and will expand the program from 3 to 6 next year. I manage a $26.2 million dollar operations budget and a $4 million dollar Capital budget. While on the surface it appears like a healthy budget, it is challenging with equipment and such when your personnel costs exceed 90% of your budget! That being said, we consistently secure grant funding that helps us with upgraded equipment and technology on a consistent basis. Hopefully, we can keep that same momentum going into future years budgets.​​

Q:  What does it take to lead the Peoria FIre Department?

​

A:  Man, there are so many words that can describe what it takes to be honest. Empathy, compassion, energy, and a good communicator are bare bones must haves. If you do not communicate effectively, whether that is with your staff, the firefighters, the community, City Hall or City Council, you will not be very effective. It is a constant, daily attention that I perform I believe well. I wake up every single day at 3:30am, workout and start work between 5-5:30am every day. Not because I have to, but because I want to be successful. I want to see this fire department succeed and provide the best services to the Peoria community. Lead by example, every day. To be an effective communicator, you have to be an effective listener. Personnel issues, staff issues and many other areas require patience, well thought out plans and multiple ways to attack daily challenges. Willingness to explore. If you remain the same way you have always been, you are not challenging yourself to be better. We have made a fair amount of changes in the fire department under my leadership, and we will continue to do so to be on the cutting edge for the services we provide to our constituents.