Heyworth Fire and EMS

09/04/2026

Happy Birthday Chief Randy Richards! Help us celebrate a vital member of the community!

09/03/2026

Slow Down, Move Over, Pay Attention

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 3, 2026
Bloomington, IL – Driver Arrested After Striking Bloomington Firefighter at Woodrig Road Crash Scene
A driver who struck a Bloomington firefighter at the scene of a traffic crash this morning, then fled, has been located and arrested by the Bloomington Police Department (BPD), according to the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD). The firefighter sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene; he was not transported to a hospital.
Bloomington Fire Department crews responded shortly after 7:30 a.m. to a traffic accident at the intersection of Woodrig Road and Morrissey Drive. While firefighters were operating at the scene, a driver intentionally drove through the accident scene and struck one of the firefighters.
Fellow crew members treated the firefighter at the scene. The driver did not stop and fled the area before officers arrived. BPD investigators located and arrested the driver this morning.
No one involved in the original traffic accident required ambulance transport.
“This could have ended far worse than it did,” said Deputy Chief Jason Greer of the Bloomington Fire Department. “We remind every motorist to slow down, move over, and pay attention. Working in roadways is one of the most dangerous environments we face.”
The Danger Firefighters Face on Roadways
Incidents like this morning's are part of a well-documented, nationwide danger for emergency responders at roadway incidents:
● In 2024, 46 emergency responders — including firefighters, police officers, EMS personnel, tow operators, and highway safety patrol workers — were struck and killed while working roadway incidents nationwide, according to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI).
● The National Fire Protection Association estimates that in 2023, roughly 19,225 fire department vehicles were involved in traffic collisions, resulting in about 1,450 firefighter injuries.
● An estimated 12,200 roadway responses occur every day across the United States, each one putting responders at risk of being struck by passing traffic.
● ERSI tracks an average of about 60 “struck-by-vehicle” incidents each year in which firefighters, EMS personnel, or their apparatus are struck and injured or damaged by other vehicles — in addition to those that are fatal.

Illinois Law: Penalties Drivers Can Face
Illinois law provides significant penalties for motorists who endanger or strike first responders working at a roadway scene, and for drivers who flee after striking someone. Potential charges in a case like this can include:
● Scott’s Law (the “Move Over Law,” 625 ILCS 5/11-907): Requires drivers to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles and workers, whether stopped or moving. A first offense carries a fine of $250 to $10,000; a second offense, $750 to $10,000. A violation that causes property damage is a Class A misdemeanor, and one that causes injury or death can rise to a felony with mandatory driver’s license suspension.
● Aggravated battery against a firefighter (720 ILCS 5/12-3.05): Knowingly striking a firefighter performing official duties is a Class 2 felony, punishable by 2 to 5 years in prison and fines up to $25,000 — regardless of whether the firefighter is injured. If the firefighter suffers great bodily harm, the charge rises to a Class 1 felony, punishable by 4 to 15 years in prison.
● Leaving the scene of a crash (625 ILCS 5/11-401 and 11-402): Fleeing the scene of a crash involving personal injury is a Class 4 felony, punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison and fines up to $25,000. Failing to report such a crash to police within 30 minutes can elevate the charge to a Class 2 felony, punishable by 3 to 7 years in prison.
Exact charges will be determined by the Bloomington Police Department and the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office as the investigation proceeds.
A Reminder to Motorists
The Bloomington Fire Department urges every driver to slow down, move over, and pay attention when approaching any crash scene, emergency vehicle, or first responder working along the road. A momentary lapse in attention can turn a routine call into a life-threatening one for the people who respond to help.
The Bloomington Fire Department thanks the Bloomington Police Department for its swift investigation and apprehension of the driver.
The Bloomington Fire Department is a full-time fire department serving a population of 78,000. The fire department consists of 120 members operating out of five stations. The fire department provides paramedic-level transport services and is the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division 41 Hazardous Materials technician team.
CONTACTS:
Captain Frank C. Friend, Public Information Officer
Bloomington Fire Department
310 N. Lee | Bloomington, IL 61701
Office: (309)434-2627
Email: [email protected]

08/19/2026

RTFD wishes all students, faculty and staff a fun and safe 2026-2027 school year.

07/06/2026

Come see us tomorrow night from 6-8 for a root b**r float!!!

07/02/2026

We wish everyone a happy and safe 4th!!

06/30/2026

2026 McLean County Cooling Center/Shelter Information:

Cooling Center – A short term emergency location where people can get out of dangerous temperatures to prevent injury or loss of life. Typically, a stopping point until the people can move on, or to, a more appropriate facility. No food or sleeping accommodations are provided. Some cooling centers are 24 hour businesses where people can stop in.

GIS Map: https://mcleangis.maps.arcgis.com/.../nearby/index.html...

Arrowsmith:
- Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the fire chief to assist you.
Bloomington:
- Bloomington Public Library, 205 E. Olive St., 309-828-6091 (M-Th 9 am – 9 pm & F/Sa 9 am – 5 pm/Su 1 – 5 pm)
- Connect Transit Bus – availability determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on available resources & weather; parking lot of the McLean Co Health Dept, 200 W. Front St., Bloomington
- Walmart, 2225 W. Market St., open 6 am – 11 pm
Normal:
- Meijer, 1900 E. College Ave, 6 am - midnight
- Uptown Station, 11 Uptown Circle, Available daily until last train at 9:00 pm
- Walmart, 300 Greenbriar, 7am – 11 pm
Bellflower:
- Bellflower Community Center cafeteria, 104 W. Center St., enter the NE double doors, 10 am – 6 pm Th-Sat.
Chenoa:
- Chenoa Fire Dept 920 E. Cemetery Ave., call the MetCom non-emergency number, 309-888-5030 and they will contact the fire dept to be sure the station is manned.
Cooksville:
- Call the MetCom non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the fire chief or village president to assist you.
Downs:
- Downs Fire Dept, 102 W Main St., Downs – open 24 hours Call 309-378-2021 to make sure it is staffed
Heyworth:
- Village Hall, 108 S. Buchanan St., 7:30 am – 3:45 pm M-F, contact on site staff for assistance
- Heyworth Fire Dept upon notification, 103 S. Buchanan St., 309-473-3223.
Hudson:
- Hudson Fire Dept, 502 N. Broadway, Hudson. Call first to see if station is manned, 309-275-4987.
LeRoy:
- Loves Travel, 505 S. Persimmon Dr. 24 hrs
- Additional place will be available if requested, stop by or call the LeRoy Police Dept, 110 S. East St.
Lexington:
- Can open one if needed, contact Metcom at 309-888-5030 they will contact Lexington police, fire, or Lexington EMA to assist.
McLean:
- Road Ranger Truck Stop, 315 E. Dixie Rd- open 24 hours
Saybrook:
- Call the METCOM non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the fire chief to assist you.
Stanford:
- Allin Twnsph Fire Dept, 104 W. Main St., Stanford. Call the MetCom non-emergency number, 309-888-5030, and they will contact the fire dept to assist you.
Homeless Shelters:
- Salvation Army Safe Harbor, 208 N Oak St, Bloomington–Open for people that are shelter residents or day center patrons but are not banned from the
property or from receiving services.
- Home Sweet Home Ministries, 303 E. Oakland Ave, Bloomington, Open 24 hrs for shelter residents
The Junction at Home Sweet Home Ministries (located at 301 E Oakland Ave – the old Mission Mart) is open Tuesday-Friday from 10am-5pm and Monday by appointment. They welcome anyone from the community in need of a place to cool down.
- Project Oz – serves homeless youth ages 17-23, call PATH at 309-827-4005 and ask them to page Project Oz on-call staff.

06/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out tonight for our Rootb**r Floats!! We sold out!!

06/02/2026

Join us tomorrow night during Music at the Gazebo for some Rootb**r Floats!! Serving at our station from 6:30 to 8pm!!

05/25/2026

Today, we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Wishing everyone a meaningful Memorial Day.

05/24/2026

Memorial Day Weekend has arrived the unofficial kickoff to summer! Before firing up the grill for the season, make sure it’s clean and ready to go.

Roughly 1 out of every 5 grill fires involves grills that haven’t been cleaned. Grease buildup can quickly turn dangerous.

Take a few minutes to clean your grill, check propane connections, and keep anything flammable away from the cooking area. Stay safe and enjoy the holiday weekend! 🔥🍔☀️