ELLINWOOD — Ellinwood City Administrator Chris Komarek has always had a thing for lights and sirens. Both his grandfather and his father served as fire chief; Komarek finished up a 40-year stint with 26 years as chief himself in September 2021. 

But, as with many small towns, Ellinwood’s fire department is voluntary, so there are plenty of other hats to wear in the community. As administrator for the past seven years, Komarek has worn his share of various headwear over going on four-and-a-half decades of city service.

“I like to think I have the city’s interest at heart,” he said. “This city has been my life. It’s my 43rd year, but honestly I’m proud of that time. “There’s a lot of things that have been made better, but there’s still a lot I want to get accomplished.”

Charging up

Born and raised in Ellinwood, Komarek attended the police academy after graduating from Ellinwood High School. He returned to his hometown in 1980 intending to serve as a police officer, but it was short-lived. “I always thought that it was what I wanted to be. I was on the Police Department for about two years. I became frustrated with the legal system very fast,” he said.

An opening in the city Electric Department allowed him to make a transfer, and he began as a lineman. He then worked up through the ranks to superintendent over the next 35 years.

Along the way, he kept up his family legacy in the fire department, spending 40 years under a fireman’s helmet, with the past 26 years as chief. 

His third hat, that of city administrator, was waiting in the wings. Bob Peter was nearing retirement after beginning service in 2001. Peter was succeeded by Bud Newberry, who resigned in March 2016 after about a year.

As the position opened again, the governing body cast eyes toward Komarek.

“It was absolutely the last thing I would have picked,” Komarek said. “They said they needed to find somebody who can steer the ship while they figured out what to do. I remember saying something like ‘why are you all looking at me?”

Komarek’s appointment to administrator was only supposed to be for six months; he was already serving the city in the Electrical Department and as fire chief. “Six months came and went, and they said that the last six months went good so why don’t we go another six months.”

The advantages of a desk in the office where it was cool when it got hot and warm when it was cold had its appeal, however. “A year after being appointed interim, I decided to pull this trigger, for a lot of reasons,” he said.

So he traded in his safety helmet for a desk in the city office.

Keeping the legacy alive

With generations of Komareks behind serving in a first-responder capacity, he was reluctant to hang up his hat as chief. 

“My grandpa and my dad were both on the Fire Department here, I grew up around that,” he said. “I’ve always had adrenalin for that kind of excitement.

“It was there when my law enforcement career kind of fizzled out; I could still get the red lights and sirens.

“I don’t play golf,” he said. “I would hang around the fire station working on the trucks and learning equipment.” 

He also served as paramedic for the Ellinwood Emergency Medical Service. “I did that for about 32 years,” he said. “It is one of the things I’m proudest of, because of that education,” he said. “You can do a lot of things out in the field that doctors actually do in the emergency room. It’s exciting to have a positive effect on people’s lives.” Komarek retired as chief in September 2021.

Meanwhile, the Komareks’ apples continue to fall close to the fire station. His oldest son Ryan is a Fire Department captain, while working for the city street department. Younger son Josh is an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician for the Ellinwood EMS.

Still a lot to do

Even though he’s down to one hat, the city administrator’s job has its challenges. “I oversee 22 employees and there are always staffing issues, but I truly have a great staff,” Komarek said. “They are very talented. That makes my life easier. 

“In this role, a lot of people think about budget and managing of the money, but quite honestly that’s a very small part of this job. It’s not the hardest part of this job. Zoning regulations is the aspect that I like the least, along with flood plain. 

“This time of year, the challenge is with dilapidated properties that are growing up with weeds. It’s always a challenge to stay ahead of the game and keep Ellinwood a nice-looking community,” Komarek noted.

Looking at the short run ahead, there’s a lot still to do.

At the west edge of town, Ellinwood’s new district hospital is rapidly taking shape. “The hospital here is just the first up -and-growing thing we’ve had going on here in a long time and it’s really exciting,” he said. “We have a lot going on that’s tied to that on the utilities side of things.” 

There is a new housing development that will progress in the next few months. “And, we’ve got some improvements that are on the table including the city sidewalk project. There’s going to be a lot of money flowing through this community in the next year or two.”

This includes the hospital’s about $30 million and several million in infrastructure paid for with help from grants.

Looking back, there’s a lot of stories Komarek has been saving up for later. ““I have so many stories, a lot of little fun things, but I don’t know that any one of them really stands out,” he said. 

“We’ve been through some challenges over the years with high water in 2007 and in 2013, we’re pulling out of ice storms and fires, but it’s really all part of the whole thing,” he said.

“I guess you could say after all of this is to ‘never say never,’” Komarek said. “It’s been a good ride, even if it was a little wild at times.”

Community Connections is a regular feature of the Great Bend Tribune, showcasing people who live in the Golden Belt. We welcome readers to submit names of individuals who are active in the community that they would like to see featured in a future story. Send suggestions to news@gbtribune.com and explain their “community connections.”