Posts Tagged Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger

Peoria Fire Department news (more)

Apr 17

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | No Comments

In October of 2023, Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger announced the new Fire Chaplain Program and its leader, Chaplain William Preston. On Tuesday, all twelve stations have their very owner chaplain.

The mission, to provide mental and emotional support to firefighters during and after trauma. They are also there for the community as they go through, potentially, the worst day of their life. House fires, medical calls, anywhere they are needed, they respond.

Modeled from the Peoria Police Department’s chaplain program, the fire chief thought it would be a great idea to have someone available for his crew and the community.

“The average individual deals with about four traumatic events in a lifetime right. But a firefighter sometimes sees that in a day. So I think just to have someone to talk to, even if it’s not spiritual, religious, but someone who’s outside of that battle space, outside of that challenge that they’re in every day, that is just kind of a breather, a refresher, a breath of fresh air.”

Preston said helping firefighters cope with some experiences on the job can make them more efficient at serving Peoria.

Tags: Chaplain William Preston, chicagoareafire.com, fire department chaplain program, Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger, Peoria FIre Department

Peoria Fire Department news

Feb 5

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Fire Department News | No Comments

Excerpts from 25newsnow.com:

It’s been 41 years since Peoria firefighter Vernon “Butch” Gudat died in the line of duty, but Friday, the department and his family members celebrated his legacy.

John Smith worked for the Peoria Fire Department for 29 years. After he retired, he picked up woodwork. His hobby of building tables started when Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger asked Smith to build a table for the new firehouse, Station 4.

Smith has finished several tables since then, the most recent being a dinner table for Fire Station 10 in honor of Gudat, where he was working when he responded to a fire in downtown Peoria on January 23, 1983. He died that morning in the line of duty.

Both of Gudat’s kids were at the reveal on Friday and say it’s amazing to see the fire department continuing to honor their dad 41 years later.

To this day, Vernon “Butch” Gudat is the last Peoria firefighter to die in the line of duty.

Tags: chicagoareafire.com, Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger, Peoria FIre Department, Peoria Firefighter Vernon “Butch” Gudat

Peoria Heights Fire Department news (more)

Jul 23

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | Comments off

Excerpts from 25newsnow.com:

Fire services in Peoria Heights will now be taken care of by two municipalities.

Village trustees approved a contract with the city of Peoria at its regular meeting Tuesday evening. The village will spend more than $300,000 to have Peoria supplement and help out on fire calls Peoria Heights receives.

With the assistance of the Peoria Fire Department, 90% of Peoria Heights will have a response time of under four minutes for fire calls.

The contract is needed because volunteers within the Peoria Heights Fire Department have decreased, to the point where disbanding the 106-year-old department was considered.

Peoria Heights is also seeking a new fire chief, who will be tasked with trying to increase numbers in the department. Previous chiefs have tried cadet programs at Peoria Heights High School to help increase numbers., but it’s still a struggle to find volunteers.

Applications for a fire chief have come in, and interviews should be happening in the near future.

Tags: chicagoareafire.com, Chicagoareafire.com/blog, Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger, Peoria FIre Department, Peoria Heights Fire Department, Peoria Heights seeks new fire chief, village considers outsourcing 106-year-old volunteer fire department, village may outsource fire department

Peoria Heights Fire Department news (more)

Jun 29

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Excerpts from 25newsnow.com:

The room was packed Tuesday afternoon in the Peoria Heights Village Hall for a historic public safety decision.

During the special meeting, the village went back and forth on whether to outsource the 106-year-old volunteer fire department to the City of Peoria.

The concerns and frustrations were visible on the faces of the firefighters, EMTs, and residents in attendance. The board of trustees weighed all options, with representatives of both Peoria Heights and Peoria fire departments on hand to answer questions.

Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger made it clear that the Peoria Heights administration approached City Manager Patrick Urich on if a change would help. He added Peoria fire could get to 93% of calls in Peoria Heights within four minutes.

Two trustees said the most surprising comment came from fellow trustee Matt Wigginton.

He said there is an Illinois law saying local governments serving more than 500 people cannot abolish a fire department without passing a voter referendum.

“In all of our discussions, we’ve heard it’s either this or that,” said Trustee Wigginton. “It’s either you do this and can’t do that. Well, I think we can do both. And frankly, I don’t see another way legally to do it.”

Wigginton said it’s possible to use a model that would use both fire departments.

No action was taken on the proposed idea.

The Peoria Heights Village Board is expected to meet on the matter again next month. No date has been set.