New Crete Fire Chief

The Crete Village Hall was packed with people at the board meeting on Monday night, as 52-year-old James Muirhead was administered the oath of office by Village Clerk Deborah Bachert, becoming the new fire chief of Crete.

“I’m looking forward to Crete. It’s a has a great reputation,” Chief Muirhead said on Monday night.

The position of Crete Fire Chief became available when former Chief Michael Waterman retired in early April of this year.

Chief Muirhead started his career 33 years ago, as a paid-on-call firefighter for Matteson Fire Department. In 1993 he moved to Crete and the Crete Township Fire Protection District, where he spent eleven years and attained the rank of lieutenant. He also worked at Riverdale Fire Department, serving as their deputy chief for three years.

“I’ve known JP for a long time. He’s a quality guy and I have very high hopes and expectations that he will do a very good job for the village,” Crete Mayor Michael Einhorn said.

I’m super excited. I’ve known the Crete guys for years, growing up in Crete and being a previous member of the Crete Township Fire Department. I’m looking forward to working with them. The biggest thing I’m hoping to do is to keep things safe, because that is the utmost importance,” Crete Fire Chief James Muirhead said on Monday.