Chatham Fire Department

08/31/2026

Today, your Chatham Fire will join Riverton Fire and other area agencies as we come together to honor the life and service of Retired Chief Dominic Vespa during his Final Farewell Ride.

We are honored to stand alongside our brothers and sisters in the fire service as we pay tribute to a dedicated firefighter, leader, mentor, and friend who gave more than 60 years of service to his community.

Today, we remember his service, his leadership, and the lasting impact he made on the fire service and those who had the privilege of knowing him.

View Dominic Michael Vespa's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/26/2026

Mark your calendars! Put the date in your phone and make plans to join us!
Our Open House happens every two years, and this year, we’re opening our doors to YOU!

08/25/2026

Do you know a grandparent, foster parent, aunt or uncle, or other caregiver who would like to brush up on their skills and feel more confident caring for children?

We have the class for you!

This class is designed for any adult who cares for children and wants to refresh their skills, learn practical tips, and feel better prepared for the unexpected.

Whether you’re caring for your grandchildren, fostering, babysitting, or helping care for family—you’ll leave feeling more confident and prepared!

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNP7kcGeErRTrIKam8oR4Vvc4jkjLQKp6irhnes5ptfXY38w/viewform?usp=publish-editor

08/24/2026

Over the weekend, Your Chatham Fire sent a team of professional golfers to represent Chatham at the Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts Foundation golf outing. Well, maybe they aren't professional golfers, but they are professionals in something...😆 We had a sprinkling of firefighter/EMT's both full-time and volunteer and office staff round out our 5-some. Fun times were had, and connections were made.

This profession is very relational. Brothers and sisters bonding in these ways develops relationships and trust which are critical to working together on the fireground and with patients as EMT's. These days also put Chatham Fire Department on the map with other agencies around Illinois and beyond.

08/19/2026

4th-6th grader staying home alone before or after school? We have a class for that!

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfg6Taih5YDnvUWQI3k0Z0E82LzFRLUMtMH6EBPaITs5PLXOQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

08/17/2026

Now that school is in session: Do you have a student that will be home alone for an hour or two until an adult is home from work?

Chatham Fire Presents Safe Sitter's Safe@Home Course

Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Registration and $30 Course Fee due September 2nd, 2026.

Safe@Home is ideal for students (grades 4-6) that have expressed interest in assuming the responsibility of staying home alone. The program is designed to prepare students for their first steps towards independence.

Course fee covers day-of instruction and a student manual.

Participants can bring a snack and a water bottle.

Use the link below to register (a follow up will be sent within 24 with more information):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfg6Taih5YDnvUWQI3k0Z0E82LzFRLUMtMH6EBPaITs5PLXOQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Feel free to reach out to Kari at the Chatham Fire Department with questions.

217-860-9929 or [email protected]

08/17/2026

Happy First Day of School, Chatham! 🍎✏️

It’s back to school for our amazing students, teachers, assistant teachers, principals, counselors, office staff, school nurses, custodians, bus drivers/monitors, support staff and all the dedicated school staff who care for our kids each day.

We wish everyone a safe, healthy, and successful start to the year! Please keep an eye out for our Chatham students as they travel to and from school—whether they’re walking, biking, riding the bus, or in the infamous car rider line.

Ball-Chatham CUSD5

08/15/2026

Super disappointed! Please remember to donate to our Chatham kids if you feel led to do so…

We are over here, wondering if Chatham Police are actually disappointed or a little bit relieved… 
🏈👨🏻‍🚒🏆

Well friends, major sad face with this post.😔

After discussions with the Ball-Chatham School District Director of Facilities, the Chatham Fire Department, and School District administration, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Charity Flag Football game planned today between the police and fire departments due to safety and unplayable field conditions in light of all the rain.

We know there were many in the community excited to attend this event, and we were just as excited to take part in it. We do not want to lose sight of why we were doing it in the first place though, and that was to benefit children in need in our community.

𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙥 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙣 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙣 𝙁𝙪𝙚𝙡, 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙌𝙍 𝙘𝙤𝙙𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙬.

Thank you! ❤️