QEM Fire Protection District

06/23/2026

Looking for Sponsors!

06/23/2026

Please avoid the area!

At this time the the Brighton fire department is working a large structure on US Highway 67 and Smitty Lane. A large amount of emergency vehicles have the right lane northbound of HWY 67 shutdown. Please use EXTREME caution in this area.

06/14/2026

🚨 IGNITEHER REGISTRATION ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

QEM Fire Protection District is excited to officially announce 🔥 IGNITEHER 🔥 — a hands-on fire program designed for women ages 16-45 who want to experience what it’s like to be a firefighter for the weekend!

📅 September 25th–27th
📍 QEM Fire Protection District – Grafton, IL

Participants will:
🚒 Train alongside firefighters
🧯 Learn real firefighting tactics
🪜 Work in turnout gear
🔥 Experience hands-on training scenarios
👩‍🚒 Build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills

All activities will be completed under instructor supervision in a supportive learning environment.

🗓 Enrollment opens July 24th and closes August 22nd.
⚠️ Limited spots available!

Open to Jersey County and surrounding areas.

Keep an eye on the QEM Fire Protection District page for the registration link and additional event information.

Confidence. Skill. Sisterhood. ❤️

06/14/2026

Today at approximately 11:30am your QEM firefighters were paged out for the report of smoke coming from a house boat on the Mississippi River. Upon arrival to the boat ramp in Grafton the boat was being pulled by a fellow boater to the dock with moderate smoke coming from the boat. Crews immediately used a water can to get a knock on the fire then utilized the pump and a hand line off of our boat to extinguish the rest of the fire in the engine compartment. Everyone made it off the boat safely with no injuries. Thank you to the kind boater who went above and beyond and pulled the house boat back to the dock!

06/09/2026

🚨 ATTENTION FIRE DEPARTMENTS 🚨

Now is the time to book your next LIVE burn training!

If you’re looking to meet your training standards and get hands-on burn experience, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re training new firefighters, sharpening skills, or running department drills, our facility is ready for you.

🔥 Available for LIVE burns or smoke machine training
🔥 Great opportunity for hands-on experience
🔥 Open for department training use

To book our Burn Tower:
📞 Call (618) 786-3300 and leave a message. Captain Darr will get back to you.
📩 Or send us a message on our page!

06/06/2026

Today was a busy day for the department! Some of our members attended the National Memorial of Military Ascent, while others spent the day at the Fishing Fair at Pere Marquette State Park.

Pictured below:

Left: Matt Schulte, Austin Nuber, Captain Austin Darr, and Steven Looney

Right: Art Romer, Jonathan Prosser, Captain Damon Eich, Bradley Isringhausen, and the Survival Flight 5 crew.

A huge thank you to our neighboring department, Brighton Betsey Ann Fire Protection District, for covering our district while we attended these events. Your support is greatly appreciated!

05/26/2026

Catch us at the Fishing Fair, Saturday, June 6th!

Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton will host the Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair, featuring fun and educational activities for the entire family, on Saturday, June 6.

Event hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the park, which is near Grafton on Illinois 100. There are no admission or parking fees, and no fishing license or gear is needed to participate.

The fishing fair will feature a variety of outdoor activities. Participating children will find a catch-and-release bluegill pond, where young anglers can have their photograph taken with their catch. The popular One-Cast station ensures everyone wins a prize. And bow-fishing stations offer youth an opportunity to shoot at moving targets in a pool or at a three-dimensional target. Every child who completes at least seven stations will receive a prize and have a chance to catch trout from the pond.

Returning and new entertainment this year includes a 4,000-gallon mobile aquarium stocked with fish species found in the Illinois River; Hall of Fame fisherman Jimmy Houston; Tim Guraedy, known as “Mountain Man” from the television show “Duck Dynasty;” Camo the Clown; music by Steve and Jackie of Outlaw Opry; and food and beverages.

05/23/2026

🚑 EMS Week Spotlight 🚑

Ryan Motley (Paramedic)
⏱️ 25 years in EMS | 22 years as a Paramedic

Why did you choose EMS?
Honestly, EMS chose me.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
Being able to help people when they truly need it most is the most rewarding part of the job.

05/22/2026

🚑 EMS Week Spotlight 🚑

Cameron Mank (EMT-B)
⏱️ Running calls for nearly 2 years | Certified EMT-B for 6 months

Why did you choose EMS?
I originally got into EMS to learn more about emergency medicine for my family, but I quickly fell in love with it and decided to make it a career.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy constantly learning new things and continuing to grow in the field every day.

05/21/2026

🚑 EMS Week Spotlight 🚑

Bradley Isringhausen (EMT-B)
⏱️ A little over 2 years in EMS

Why did you choose EMS?
I chose EMS because, as a firefighter today, you also need to be a licensed EMS clinician. To further my career in the fire service, I earned my EMT license.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy knowing that the care I provide directly affects patient outcomes. It’s rewarding to see positive results and to provide great patient care to people in my community