Dave Ritter became fire chief of the Palos Heights Fire Protection District on Dec. 5, 2025, promoted from within after 27 years with the department — a career that made him a fixture in both the firehouse and the community he serves.
Ritter began as a firefighter in 1996 and rose through the ranks to captain in 2013. But his connection to Palos Heights runs deeper than his job title. He lives in the community, knows its residents by name, and has spent more than half his life responding to emergencies on streets he knows intimately.
“I know all of the people and know the town,” Ritter said. “I really care a lot about this community.”
That deep local knowledge and loyalty made him a natural choice for the top job. The promotion from within the department signals continuity and trust — the board elevated someone who understands not just the department’s operations, but the community’s needs and character.
“I feel blessed that I have this opportunity,” Ritter said. “I consider the Palos Heights Fire Protection District a gem of a fire department on the south side.”
Ritter’s standing in the community extends beyond the firehouse. The Palos Lions Club honored him as a first responder in 2023 for his dedication and service. Colleagues and residents alike have long viewed him as a trusted, familiar figure, and someone whose experience and roots in Palos Heights made him the logical choice to lead.