Kell Fire Protection District

06/10/2026

We had a great day of training with the Illinois Army National Guard Firefighter teams. Members of the 615th, 661st, and the 662nd FFT conducted drafting operations today.

06/10/2026

We will be conducting training this afternoon with the National Guard In a effort to help with their drafting capabilities. Don’t be alarmed if you see this vehicle in town! More information to come about this group of soldiers this evening.

06/05/2026

We would like to congratulate Joe Duffy and Lee Ann Schaeffer on their recent promotion to Firefighter. They have both completed their probationary status and have proven to be a vital part of our department. Congratulations guys!

06/02/2026

Mt. Vernon – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that Interstate 57 will be closed overnight June 1 through June 3 to allow crews to set structural steel for the new Illinois 15 overpass.

To minimize impacts on traffic, the closures will take place nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

During the work, traffic on I-57 will be detoured around the work zone using the entrance and exit ramps at the Mt. Vernon Interchange.

Flaggers will be present throughout the nighttime operations to assist with traffic movement and maintain safety for motorists and construction crews.

05/27/2026

The Kell and Odin Fire Protection Districts have received small equipment grants from the Office of the State ...

05/23/2026

Thank you Kell Fire department for reaching out to do an LZ class! If any local fire or EMS departments want LZ classes or continuing education please contact Chad Morris at 618-892-1500.

05/18/2026

FLASH FLOOD WARNING until 8:15 pm for Marion and far southern Fayette Counties.

05/01/2026

04/24/2026

Congratulations Justin on your new adventure. We are confident you will continue to do great things and look forward to see you in your new role! We will miss your voice on the radio!

🎧 End of an Era… and the Start of a New Chapter 🚔

Today is Justin’s last day with the Salem Police Department—and while we’re not saying goodbye, we are sending him on to his next adventure as the Marion County Coordinator!

Justin began his career with SPD on June 27, 2000, and was promoted to Supervisor on October 1, 2015. As of April 24, 2026, he officially closes this chapter and starts a new one.

Justin has witnessed and led decades of change in Telecommunications. From when most 911 calls came from landlines… to today’s wireless world. From a DOS-based CAD system (no mouse!) to multiple generations of LEADS, radios, and phones he’s done it all.

💻 That command line speed? Built from the HTE days.☎️ No wireless headsets back then—storms meant unplugging and grabbing the handset!

He even completed EMD training before it was required, and then helped guide the transition when it became part of everyday operations.

And for those who have been around awhile you might remember Justin as “Junior.” He earned that nickname because he was one of the youngest when he started… safe to say, we can officially retire that title now. 😉

Through every shift, Justin has been a steady voice, a leader, and someone our team could always count on.

While we’ll miss him here at Salem Police Department, we know he’s going to do incredible things as Marion County Coordinator.

Congratulations, Justin we’re proud of you!

03/22/2026

Lunch is covered for tomorrow! Take a trip to Woodlawn

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝟯/𝟮𝟮/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲?
We’ve got you covered, and it’s for a cause that truly matters. Pork chops, cooked by firefighters (or at least supervised by them), and we all know that means it’s going to be good.

Our neighbors at Woodlawn Fire Protection District are rallying behind their Chief, Joe, and we’re asking our community to stand with them. If you live in or around Woodlawn, or have ever worked in public safety, you’ve probably heard Joe’s name. Since February 10, 2025, he’s been fighting Esophageal Cancer, quietly, without ever asking for help.

Joe has spent over 35 years serving his community as a firefighter and Fire Chief. He also served with Jefferson Fire Protection District for decades as a firefighter and lieutenant before becoming Chief of Woodlawn. Now he needs support, and of course we’re standing with our brother.

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 for a great meal, fellowship, and a chance to support TEAM JOE. Every dollar goes directly to Joe to help with medical expenses.

Lunch is also available for pickup 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟮𝗻𝗱, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟭𝟬 𝗔𝗠 – 𝟮 𝗣𝗠 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 (𝟯𝟬𝟭 𝗦 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁, 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗻, 𝗜𝗟 𝟲𝟮𝟴𝟵𝟴)

We’re with you, Chief. Stay strong!