About Our Chief

      
       Dan Forsythe, a life long resident, joined the Manhattan Fire Department in 1976. Dan soon became involved in all aspects of the fire department but excelled in the EMS world. Dan became a Illinois State Certified Paramedic in 1977 and held that certification for 30 years. He has progressed through the ranks becoming a Lieutenant, Captain and Battalion Chief in the volunteer ranks. Dan was hired by the Manhattan Fire Protection District in December of 2006 as the first full time employee at the rank of Deputy Chief. During the following year, Dan assisted the District Trustees in setting up the program to hire full time employees. In September 2008, after the retirement of Chief Jack Fitzgerald, Dan was appointed full time Fire Chief by the District Trustees. Chief Forsythe’s education includes a Bachelors Degree from Southern Illinois University in Fire Service Management and a Masters Degree from Lewis University in Public Safety Administration. He also holds a certification from the Illinois State Fire Marshall as a Fire Officer III, the highest certification for a fire officer in the state of Illinois. Dan has been married to Christine for 32 years, has two daughters, Rebecca and Collete, and also has two grandchildren, Codi and Abby.