New Firefighters Sworn into LZ Fire Department

Lake Zurich Fire Department promoted a veteran firefighter to captain and swore in four new firefighters this week.

Captain David Borst has been with the department for over 20 years and has been a firefighter for 24 years, LZ Fire Chief David Wheelock said.

Borst is active with his family’s church and enjoys fishing, traveling and spending time with his family, Wheelock said.

Wheelock introduced four firefighters new to the department at this week’s village board meeting.

“This is a good time for the fire department,” Wheelock said.

Douglas Erb,  Spencer Cornell, Kevin Michehl and Jeff Hall were all sworn in as Lake Zurich firefighters/paramedics.

Erb has been a firefighter for 18 years. Cornell is continuing a family tradition; his grandfather was a Park Ridge firefighter for 42 years. Hall started as a fire cadet at age 16 in Cary. He continued his education then worked in Guatemala for three years training firefighters.

Michehl is a homegrown firefighter who graduated from Lake Zurich High School. He received a degree from Northern Illinois University and worked for the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District. His grandfather was a firefighter who became a deputy fire marshal. Michehl's brother is also a firefighter. 

The fire department had several retirements this year and a firefighter, Danny Gonzalez, died suddenly last month.