Braidwood Fire Protection District

Braidwood Fire celebrates lives saved in 2023

Published by admin on Tue, 01/02/2024 - 3:59pm

There are some amazing events in the EMS/fire protection world that capture exactly why those first responders live for their profession.

And one of those is for those first responders to save someone’s life, then see that person standing in front of them knowing that the hard work and dedication of firefighers and EMS mean they are still able to spend their lives with family and friends.

For the Braidwood Fire Protection District, such life saving efforts happened not just once, but three times in 2023.

Braidwood, Custer fire boards vote yes on agreement

Published by admin on Tue, 09/26/2023 - 4:34pm

A group of around 30 residents returned to the gymnasium at the school in Custer Park on Monday awaiting the final vote on an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Braidwood Fire Protection District (BFPD) and the Custer Fire Protection District (CFPD) to hand Custer’s fire services over to Braidwood.

And, while that final vote from both boards means that Braidwood will take over fire services in Custer Township, the meeting was not without some last bursts of emotion from both sides of the issue.

Custer, Braidwood fire districts to decide on agreement this month

Published by admin on Tue, 09/12/2023 - 4:53pm

The outcome of a proposed agreement between the Braidwood Fire Protection District (BFPD) and Custer Fire Protection District (CFPD) will be known by later this month.

On Sept. 5, trustees from both districts held a joint meeting to discuss the status of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the two districts that would hand Custer’s fire and ambulance operations over to Braidwood.

Two new trustees for Custer Fire Protection District board

Published by admin on Tue, 08/22/2023 - 4:59pm

The Custer Fire Protection District will meet again on Aug. 23, once again with a full board.

On Aug. 16, the Custer Township Board met to appoint two people to the vacant seats on the Custer Fire Protection District (CFPD) board of trustees, as the contentious issue of whether to enter an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Braidwood Fire Protection District for services still looms.

Dillon celebrates 50 years as Braidwood fire district trustee

Published by admin on Tue, 08/01/2023 - 5:40pm

A lot has changed at the Braidwood Fire Protection District over the past 50 years.

But there has been one constant for the district and the fire department since 1973—the presence of district trustee Mike Dillon.

Last month, Dale Simpson, Operations Director for the State Fire Marshal’s Office, presented Dillon with a recognition plaque for a half century of service.

Dillon became a trustee in 1973, almost on accident.

Custer, Braidwood residents voice opinions on fire service agreement

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 4:53pm

It was a packed house inside the gymnasium at the school in Custer Park on Monday, July 17, as nearly 200 members of the Braidwood and Custer Township communities met with fire district officials to discuss a potential agreement that would put Braidwood in charge of fire protection services in Custer.

And, highlighting the need for services, a medical emergency in the parking lot as the meeting happened yielded a swift response from Custer’s EMTs and paramedics in attendance, but still resulted in Braidwood Fire being called for transport.

Custer Fire to host Town Hall meeting

Published by admin on Tue, 07/11/2023 - 3:32pm

A town hall meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, July 17 in the former R-C elementary School, 35445 S. Washington St., Custer Park, to discuss a proposed intergovernmental agreement between the Custer Fire Protection District and Braidwood Fire Protection District.

The Custer Fire Protection District (CFPD) and the Braidwood Fire Protection District (BFPD) are currently in discussions to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that would hand operations of the Custer district over to Braidwood.

District officials: “Save Custer” not the message we want to send

Published by admin on Mon, 07/03/2023 - 2:13pm

A sign pleading to “save Custer Fire Department” from a takeover by the Braidwood Fire Protection District has gone up in front of the Custer Park fire house on Route 113.

But, officials in Custer Township said that’s not the consensus of the fire protection district’s board of directors.

The Custer Fire Protection District (CFPD) and the Braidwood Fire Protection District (BFPD) are currently in discussions to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that would hand operations of the Custer district over to Braidwood.

Custer, Braidwood fire departments plan for service agreement

Published by admin on Tue, 06/27/2023 - 4:33pm

Four years after reopening, the Custer Fire Protection District (CFPD) looks to be handing the reins to the Braidwood Fire Department, at least for the next five years.

On June 21, the members of the CFPD met with members of the Braidwood Fire Protection District (BFPD) to discuss a draft intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the two departments.

The agreement would hand operations of the Custer Park fire department over to Braidwood, including both fire protection and ambulance coverage, as well as control of Custer’s assets.

First responders help Braidwood man beat the odds

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 5:01pm

It was on a typical weeknight in Braidwood this past February when suddenly, everything changed for the Hartman family.

At home on an otherwise uneventful evening on Feb. 27, Jeff Hartman collapsed in his home, as his wife Barb and daughter Addison were just in the next room.

It was a sudden and terrifying change to a normal and quiet winter night at home.