A Chief Returns

City Welcomes Back Tom Openlander to Kirkwood Fire Department

Kirkwood, Missouri -- Wednesday, November 14, 2007 – On Monday, November 12, 2007, Kirkwood resident Tom Openlander did something he never thought he’d do again … put on his Kirkwood Fire Chief uniform and go to work. Openlander, who was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in 1998, retired as Kirkwood’s Fire Chief in August 2005 when the limitations of the disease and the prognosis for his future indicated it was the best choice at the time.

            “I never really felt like I retired,” Openlander commented. “More like I switched jobs and have spent the last two years working full-time on regaining my physical strength and mobility.” As a result, Openlander’s doctors are surprised at the disease’s apparent stabilization. “I never wanted to leave the fire service. It’s always been my calling to serve,” Openlander explained. “But if you had asked me two years ago, I never expected to return to the fire service again.”

            While Openlander was working full-time on his physical improvement, the city was at the same time working full-time to improve the conditions of city services; services that had stalled in recent years due to serious financial limitations. As a result, the position of fire chief was left vacant, awaiting the necessary financial resources to put the department, along with the rest of the city, back on the right track.

            Earlier this summer, Kirkwood voters supported the city’s efforts and passed Proposition C, a funding measure that allowed restoration of several critical staffing positions within the police and fire departments, as well as shoring up compensation for city workers to an appropriate and competitive level.

            “I’d made a point to stay in contact with the city during my absence,” Openlander commented. “When I realized, during my discussions with Mike Brown, that the city might go outside the department to seek a candidate to fill the vacant chief post, I knew it was now or never and I asked Mr. Brown if he would consider hiring me back.”

            “To say I was surprised was an understatement,” Brown said. “Tom was one of the best fire chiefs the city has ever had and we were very sorry to see him have to retire in 2005. But in recent months, each time I’ve seen him, he looks better and better. It really has been amazing and inspiring to watch him regain some control over his battle with MS.”  

            Brown, while intrigued, was skeptical as to whether Openlander’s health really would be capable of enduring the stresses of full time fire work. “Because this would undoubtedly be a surprise to many and has such importance to the community and the department, it was necessary for me to undertake some extraordinary due diligence to assure myself, the department, and the community that this was an exceptional opportunity,” stated Brown. However, following discussions with his doctors as well as independent physical and neurological assessments, green lights led the way to the opinion by all that Openlander was indeed capable of returning to his post.

            “We have an opportunity here to fill a critical post within the city with a Kirkwood resident who shown this community a proven track record of leading this department,” Brown continued. “We are excited about having Tom back among Kirkwood’s dedicated and highly capable management team.

            “I would be remiss if I did not express my total gratitude to Acting Chief Larry Bierman and to Deputy Chief John Bailot for managing the department for such a long time in a totally professional manner and during very difficult times for the department,” stated Brown.

            Before his departure, Openlander was credited with spearheading the much-needed restoration of the city’s three fire houses as well as adding ambulance services to the department in an effort to provide seamless care to patients. As for his goals for the department to which he now returns, Openlander says he wants to focus more on the internal workings this time around. “We have the framework, now we need to make sure we’re all headed in the right direction, making the most of our talents and energies.”

            The statement indicates that Openlander brings back, in addition to regained strength, a more reflective perspective. “Each day I’m able to walk into this fire house is a gift. I will do my best to serve the men and women of this department along with the citizens of Kirkwood every day I am here.”

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