Chatham Firefighters IAFF Local 4490

04/09/2026

We continue to receive complaints from our community about children riding e-bikes and scooters dangerously and recklessly around town. The complaints include children speeding through neighborhoods, disobeying stop signs and traffic laws, and darting out into traffic, nearly getting hit. We have had several close calls where children riding them have almost gotten hit and run over by a car.

Parents and Guardians, we are sharing this helpful website from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office which clearly spells out the current Illinois laws on e-bikes and scooters. Please read them and make sure your children are familiar with them, too. It is our understanding these laws are currently in the process of being updated to make them even more clear and understandable, and to ensure everyone stays safe on the roadways.

Please see the current laws here along with a message at the bottom on the process of updating of them: https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/traffic-safety/micromobility-in-illinois.html

10/17/2025

Join us in congratulating Chris Bierworth on passing his NREMT-P.

10/17/2025

Please join us in congratulating Hunter and Kenny, our two newest members, on their graduation from the fire academy.

04/29/2025

Please keep the families and first responders affected by today’s tragic incident in your thoughts and prayers.

04/08/2025

Come join a great, advancing department. Great list to be on with immediate openings.
- Current contract top pay $84,847.91 without Holliday and FLSA pay
- No employee health care premiums.
- Low family premiums.

Sound the Alarm!! Your Chatham Fire is Hiring! Stop by the District Office at Chatham Fire Department Monday-Friday 7:00-4:30 to pick up an application. Our application period runs from TODAY until May 19th, 2025, at 4:00PM.

04/02/2025

Thank you to everyone that voted yes for public safety. We could not have done it without your support. Thank you to the men and women that spent countless hours, and multiple saturdays going door to door asking for you support.

04/01/2025

Don’t forget to vote. Vote YES and support those who are there for you when you need help. Vote yes for public safety.

03/31/2025

Don’t forget to vote tomorrow. Every vote matters and we appreciate everyone’s support. Help us be there for you in your time of need. Vote YES for public safety.

🚒 Chatham Fire Department - February Update! 🚒

As we wrap up March and prepare for another busy month, let’s take a look back at our February numbers.

In February 2025, we responded to 225 calls, up from 199 calls in February of last year! Our call volume continues to rise, and it’s a trend that’s been growing for years.

Here’s a look at just how much we’ve grown since transitioning to a 24-hour full-time staffed department in 2003:

🔥 Fire Department Call Volume Growth (2003-2023) 🔥

2003 – 660 calls

2008 – 1,147 calls

2012 – 1,247 calls

2019 – 1,942 calls

2023 – 2,811 calls

That’s an incredible 326% increase over the past 20 years! We're always here and ready to serve the community, no matter how busy things get.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to keep Chatham safe! Stay safe, and remember, we’re here for you 24/7. 🚒💪

03/17/2025

Many of you are aware that your Chatham Firefighters have been going door to door, on their days off, asking for support of our referendum on the April 1st ballot. The main misconception is that the Chatham Fire Protection District is part of the village. We do not receive funds from the village budget. Unlike municipality departments, a fire protection district receives funds from property tax and in our case ambulance billing as well. The increase of revenue is designated to keep up with the growth of the village. Adding a second station and increasing manpower to staff that station is crucial to providing adequate coverage and faster response times. Currently there are 13 full time firefighter/paramedics and EMT-basics training to become paramedics. We also have volunteers ranging in years of experience. In order to keep up with the increase in call volume we need more full time staff

Replacing aging apparatus is another major concern to be addressed. We have done our due diligence with tax payer money to maintain apparatus with a replacement plan upwards of 25-30 years for some. The inflation and expenses over the years has not kept up with the revenue. A new fire engine is upwards of 1 million, a ladder truck is now over 2 million both without equipment. Our goal is to provide our taxpayer’s with state of the art, reliable apparatus and equipment. Your tax dollars go directly into providing the resources to keeping you safe.

02/22/2025

Referendum facts. This time we need your help.