AMBOY – On Monday, Sept. 9 the Amboy Fire Protection District Board accepted the retirement of Jeff Bryant Sr. as fire chief.

Bryant Sr. made the board aware of his decision on Thursday, Sept. 5.

“Because of irreconcilable differences I chose to retire at this time. There were some differences that the board and I could not get past. That’s why I announced my retirement. I didn’t leave for any other reasons. I didn’t feel sick or tired. I wasn’t bored. I wasn’t burnt out. It became more of a hinderance. You lose a lot of energy when you’re constantly battling.

“I can guarantee that my focus, mission, trust in quality of life for Amboy’s citizens and guests has never changed. I have always had my whole heart in the Amboy Fire Protection District and the quality of life for our community and our neighbors. I never lost sight of that. The people of Amboy have always been very supportive of me.”

Bryant Sr. was diagnosed with Lewis Summer Syndrome (LSS) in March 2023. After suffering symptoms and undergoing treatment, he says his health has improved and has no issue performing chief duties.

The now-retired fire chief was part of the Amboy Fire Department for 36 years, 33 as an officer, and over 10 years as the chief.

“There are a few things I can hang my hat on such as the capability of self-upgrading basic life support ambulance in a rural area to advance life support when staff is available from the same department,” Byrant Sr. said. “I worked with state representatives and state senators to get that legislation passed.

“I worked with the state reps to pass individuals who are nurses or registered nurses can step into an EMT licensure without very many hours to grab some people in the community where recruitment is critical to get nurses to be an EMT or paramedic without having to take a full course since they’ve already got the information as a nurse or RN.”

His EMT license was recently renewed giving him clearance to operate as an EMT for another four years.

Bryant Sr. is a member of the Legislative Committee and the Education Committee of Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts, part of the Illinois Volunteer and Combination Officers Committee, the director of Illinois Firefighters Association, an associate at Haag Solutions (fire department consulting service), an associate at Dinges Fire (since 2002), and runs grant workshops.

Bryant Sr. has agreed to finish grant projects (totaling $500,000) he was working on for the next year.

The Amboy Fire Protection District Board was contacted but declined comment.