January 20, 2021
Galesburg City Council approved a resolution last night to honor former Galesburg Fire Chief, the late Dale May, by naming the Hawthorne Centre Regional Training Site for firefighters in his honor. During May’s tenure as chief, he spearheaded the acquisition and opening of the fire training center, which is still in operation today and hosts many area training classes and activities. May’s granddaughter Dena May Turner spoke on her family’s behalf about May’s legacy as a true fireman, and a leader who pushed his team to be better. “He was said to be ahead of his time with his vision for the department,” she read. “And as I’ve been told by some of the men that worked with him, he was referred to as the “Chief of Chiefs” having the natural ability to engage those in his department. His strength is said to be one of the greatest motivational tools a leader can use.” Another former Fire Chief Tom Simkins, was in the department in 1985 when the
January 19, 2021
Galesburg City Council will meet tonight with an opportunity to honor a somewhat legendary figure in Galesburg public safety. Council will vote on a resolution honoring former Galesburg Fire Chief, the late Dale May, by naming the Hawthorne Centre Regional Training Site for firefighters in his honor. Male started as a Galesburg firefighter in 1962, became Chief in 1977, and held that role until his retirement in 1994. He passed away in July at the age of 87. Council documents read that during his tenure as chief, May spearheaded the acquisition and opening of the fire training center at Hawthorne Centre. The center is still in operation today and hosts many area training classes and activities. Some groups that hold training there include the Illinois Terrorism Task Force, the military, many area fire department personnel, and continues to serve as the regional training site for the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute. The renaming would have minimal i