Chief Hoff started his career in the Fire Service as a Cadet with the Evergreen Park Illinois Fire Department in 1972. In 1976, he was hired as an EMT with the Chicago Fire Department and in 1977 he entered the Chicago Fire Academy as an FF/EMT. Bob served on some of Chicago’s busiest fire companies throughout his career. He worked in the Bureau of Operations as an FF/EMT, Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief before being assigned as the Director of Training for the CFD. His next assignment was as the 1st District Chief in Chicago’s downtown high rise district. He went on to become the Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Operations, 1st Deputy Fire Commissioner and Fire Commissioner. He retired from the CFD in 2012 after 35 ½ years of service.
Bob then went on to serve as the Deputy Chief and Chief of the Carol Stream Illinois Fire District until his retirement on January 1, 2020.
Education
1973-Building construction and trades, Cement Mason Local #502 (25 years)
1976-EMT-City-wide Colleges of Chicago
*Office of the State Fire Marshal-Certified FF 3, Instructor 1&2
*Completed courses towards Associates in Applied Science and Fire Science and Technology program Public Service Institute City-wide Colleges of Chicago.
*CFD Special Operations, Collapse Rescue, Dive and Haz Mat.
Instruction Experience
Current Field Staff Instructor for the State of Illinois Fire Academy at the University of Illinois-Champaign, IL (32 years)
Has instructed the following courses: Fire Officers Strategy and Tactics 1&2, Company Officer Leadership, Fireground Company Officer and Command School, Rapid Intervention Team Training, “RIT Under Fire” team training; Structural Collapse Operations and Technician; Engine Co., Truck Co., Squad Co., and Snorkel Co. operations; Forcible Entry; Auto Extrication; Smoke Divers; F.A.S.T. School, High Rise firefighting tactics for large and small departments; High Rise Incident Command for large and small departments; High Rise building systems; Chief Officer Fireground Command Positions course. Bob has instructed many of these classes in Illinois and throughout the country.
Family Fire Service History
Bob is a 3rd generation Firefighter
Father: Thomas Hoff, Battalion Chief, Chicago Fire Department, killed in the line of duty on February 14, 1962 in a fire building collapse.
Grandfather: Retired as a Captain from the Chicago Fire Department (deceased)
Brother: Ray Hoff, retired Battalion Chief, Chicago Fire Department (deceased)
Son: 4th generation, Andy Hoff, active member FFPM with the Downers Grove Illinois Fire Department.
Uncles, cousins, nephews and brothers-in-laws both current and retired members of the Fire Service.
Credits
No one does this alone. In my career I need to give credit to those in our profession who taught me the true meaning of being a Firefighter. I was led by the “best of the best”, they led by example. THEY TRULY “LEARNED IT, LIVED IT AND PASSED IT ON”.
Remember
There are two things a fellow Firefighter/Paramedic, Mentor, Company Officer, Chief Officer or Instructor can’t give you and they are PASSION and COURAGE!
PASSION to be the best you can be every day you come to work~and~the COURAGE to do the right thing. They must come from within.
Bob Hoff
Chief Robert S. Hoff 