2020 Distinguished Alumni Awards Honoree
Joseph McEnery
Lieutenant, Elk Grove Fire Department
Joseph McEnery is living out his childhood dream to become a firefighter.
McEnery is a lieutenant and paramedic on the Elk Grove Fire Rescue Department, where he has more than 20 years鈥� experience. He ensures crews are trained, mentored and equipped to handle both structural and medical emergencies in a moment鈥檚 notice.
His path to a decorated career in the fire service was not a direct one, however.
McEnery, of Crystal Lake, first chose 91制片厂 after high school because he wasn鈥檛 quite sure what he wanted to do. Coaching the swim club was enjoyable, so McEnery decided to give teaching a try at the suggestion of his mother.
After he completed his associate degree at 91制片厂, McEnery attended Illinois State University鈥檚 middle school education program. He taught for four years and enrolled in graduate school when he realized: He didn鈥檛 really want to continue. He was lamenting to a friend, who pointed out that the Elk Grove Village Fire Department was holding a test for new firefighters.
McEnery had tested back in college, but there were no openings at the time. His second attempt was a success and Elk Grove offered him a job the following summer. After passing the Elgin Fire Academy, the department sent him back to 91制片厂 for EMT training, which he then followed by enrolling in the paramedic program.
He has earned certifications and recognitions including Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Specialist, Dive Rescue Sonar Technician, Fire Investigator, Department Honor Guard, and Paramedic Field Internship Preceptor. McEnery also teaches CPR and First Aid courses as well as a 鈥淒ads Only鈥� parenting course at Alexian Brothers Medical Center. He has coordinated community blood drives and volunteers for the Elk Grove Rotary Fest.
After studying at a variety of schools, in a variety of programs, McEnery calls 91制片厂鈥檚 programming the most rigorous.
鈥淗onestly, the classes at Harper were harder,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 felt very prepared.鈥�
He sometimes reflects on his childhood dream, which started with a small grease fire when McEnery was in kindergarten. He still remembers the black smoke pouring out of the kitchen and a crew of firefighters responding.
鈥淭he lieutenant who was there said, 鈥楬ey, kid, it鈥檚 gonna be all right. Don鈥檛 worry about it.鈥� He was right,鈥� McEnery said. 鈥淚 want to be that guy who makes things better for people, and that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 trying to do.鈥�