For Lombard residents, a fire chief retirement is more than a change on an organizational chart: it marks a shift in the leadership behind everyday emergency response.

Fire Chief Richard Sander will retire October 8 after 10 years leading the Lombard Fire Department and more than four decades in the fire service.

His departure puts fire department leadership in focus as the village searches for the person who will guide its firefighters and paramedics next.

Sander arrived in Lombard in 2016 with experience spanning departments in Harvey, Aurora, Oak Brook and Naperville.

In Naperville, he rose from firefighter-paramedic to deputy chief, overseeing operations across 10 fire stations before taking the top job in Lombard.

That background mattered in a department responsible not only for fires, but also emergency medical care, prevention, training and preparedness.

During his tenure, the Lombard Fire Department replaced aging apparatus, improved equipment and training, and strengthened emergency medical services.

Sander also backed community safety education and closer coordination with neighboring departments and regional partners.

Those efforts may be less visible than a fire engine responding to a call, but they shape how prepared crews are when residents need help.

For the people serving alongside him, the transition carries a personal weight after a decade of shared work and demanding calls.

Sander has expressed gratitude for department staff, village support and the opportunity to serve the community.

Village Manager Nicole Aranas has recognized his commitment to firefighters, paramedics and public safety as a lasting part of his Lombard legacy.

Now the attention turns to what comes next.

The village is conducting a fire chief recruitment process and plans to share more information as the leadership transition moves forward.

No successor has been announced, leaving an important decision ahead for a department whose work reaches households throughout Lombard.

The stakes are practical, not merely ceremonial: the next chief will inherit the responsibility of supporting crews and maintaining readiness for emergencies.

As Sander prepares to leave, Lombard can recognize the service behind his 10-year tenure while watching closely for its next chapter in fire department leadership.