Nickolas Connor | Peoria, Illinois

Originally considering a military career, Nickolas Connor knew by the age of 14 that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a firefighter right here in Peoria. Connor has now served the city as a Peoria Firefighter for 13 years and carries on the family legacy with excellence.

Connor’s greatest challenge came at the age of 22 when he launched his intense career and became a husband and a father, all in one year. Nick remembers, “It took a lot of patience, mistakes, and self-reflection to learn these things. I am lucky I have such a forgiving wife and a great support staff around me that helped me with this.”

If being a husband, father, and saving the city weren’t enough, Connor also serves on the Peoria Firefighter Local 50 executive board and is heavily involved in volunteering through the fire department and Peoria Public Schools. He volunteers as a member of Look it’s My Book at Franklin Primary School and is the Cub Scout Cubmaster for Kellar Pack 4. Connor makes it a point to be the “nice guy” and a trustworthy person to whom people can comfortably talk about their troubles.

Connor connects his definition of leadership to what he’s seen from fellow firefighters. “They are the first one in, and the last one out of the house. They look out for their members, advocating for them.” Connor also emphasizes steadfastness and humility in a leadership role explaining, “Leaders make a decision, they don’t waver and can admit to themselves and their members when they make a mistake. A leader doesn't discourage, they inspire. They lead by example but are willing to pass on what they know to their members.”

Connor gives back to his community through the Peoria Fire Department’s Fill the Fire Truck Fundraiser. The fundraiser connects families in Peoria with the resources they need, since many children in Peoria schools start each year without school supplies. “The last two summers we have filled two Fire Engines with backpacks and gave out over a thousand each time. The happiness on these kids’ faces, having their own backpack…speaks volumes to how important this initiative is.”