Williamsville Fire Protection District - IL

08/31/2026

🖤 FINAL RIDE FOR CHIEF DOMINIC VESPA 🖤

Tomorrow, the Riverton Fire Department will come together to honor and say our final farewell to Chief Dominic Vespa, a dedicated firefighter, leader, mentor, and friend who gave more than 65+ years of service to our community.

Memorial services will be held at 12:00 PM at St. James Church. Following the services, Chief Vespa will take his final ride home atop of Riverton Engine 2203.

🚒 FINAL RIDE ROUTE:

The procession will leave from St. James Church, traveling north on 7th Street, then turning onto Route 54. The procession will continue past Spaulding Park, turn south onto 3rd Street, travel through town and turning east onto Jefferson Street, pass by the old firehouse, and return to St. James Church for the final ceremonies. (See map below)

We encourage the citizens of Riverton and surrounding communities to line the route and join the members of the fire service in paying their final respects to Chief Vespa.

If you are along the route, please take a moment to stop, stand, and show your support as Chief Vespa makes his final journey through the community he served for so many years.

⚠️ ROAD CLOSURES & DELAYS
Please expect temporary road closures, traffic delays, and interruptions along the procession route. We ask everyone to be patient and respectful as emergency personnel and departments from throughout the area come together to honor Chief Vespa.

08/17/2026

School is back in session at Williamsville-Sherman CUSD #15!
To all the students heading back this week, good luck this year! And to the teachers, bus drivers, and staff who take such great care of our kids: thank you, and have a wonderful school year.

With kids back on the sidewalks, crosswalks, and bus stops, we're asking drivers in our district to keep a few things in mind:

- Slow down in school zones. The posted limit is the maximum, not a suggestion. That extra reaction time can make a huge difference.
- Stop for school buses with flashing red lights. It's Illinois law, and it protects kids crossing the road.
- Watch for walkers and bikers in the early morning. The sun is low this time of year, and kids can be hard to see.
- Back out of your driveway slowly. Children move fast and don't always look.

Add the time. Watch for the kids. We'll be ready alongside Sherman Fire Protection District and all of our mutual aid partners. Here's to a safe and successful school year for everyone!

08/03/2026

When you call 911, our crews work quickly to get to you. Clear, visible address numbers help us get to your door faster when every second counts.

Here's how to make sure we can spot your home:
- Make them big and bold. Use numbers at least 4 inches tall in a color that stands out from your house.
- Keep them visible. Trim back bushes, branches, and anything else blocking the view from the street.
- Light them up. Numbers that are easy to read during the day can disappear at night. Consider reflective numbers or a light nearby.
- Mark your driveway. If your home sits back from the road, put your address on your mailbox or a post at the end of the driveway too.

A few minutes checking your numbers today could save us precious time in an emergency. If we can find you fast, we can help you fast.
Take a walk out to the street tonight and see if you can read your own address. If you can't, we probably can't either.

07/28/2026

Working smoke alarms save lives, and the Williamsville Fire Protection District wants to make sure every home in our district has them.
Through the Illinois "Be Alarmed!" program, we are now offering free smoke alarm installations for eligible homes in our community. If your home has no smoke alarms, alarms that are more than ten years old, or alarms that no longer work, we can help.
Here is what the program includes:

- Free 10-year sealed-battery smoke alarms, installed by our team at no cost to you
- Alarms placed properly throughout your home to meet safety standards
- A quick walkthrough on alarm maintenance, home fire safety, and escape planning

We are also able to provide special bedshaker alarms for residents who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, so they can be alerted to a fire while sleeping.

Priority is given to households with older adults, young children, or homes currently without working alarms. This program is for owner-occupied homes within our district.

Do not wait for the sound that never comes. If you or someone you know could use working smoke alarms, reach out to schedule a free installation.
Call us at (217) 566-3311, send an email to [email protected], or send us a message to get started.

07/21/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we join the Sangamon Co. Rescue Squad and our fellow agencies in mourning the loss of Chief Terry Nydegger.

Over his 48 years of service, Terry was there for our community and for departments all across the area, including ours. Terry worked hard to provide the best level of service to the entire county. His experience and knowledge made a difference on scenes big and small, and he never hesitated to share what he knew or lend a hand to those of us working alongside him.

We were all incredibly fortunate to have him. His knowledge, his leadership, and his willingness to help anyone who needed it left a mark on all of us.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Terry's family, friends, and the entire SCRS family.

Rest easy, Chief.

07/19/2026

When an emergency hits, every second counts, and a clear fire hydrant can make all the difference. Here's how you can lend a hand:

- Keep it clear by removing snow, ice, plants, fences, and debris from around hydrants. (Even though we have seen some outstanding decorations on some hydrants, it's better to keep it clear)
- Keep it visible. Don't park vehicles or set objects in front of them.
- Help us respond. A clear hydrant saves valuable time when it matters most.

A good rule of thumb: keep 3 feet clear on all sides. It's a small thing that makes a big difference.

Also, huge shoutout to Williamsville-Sherman CUSD #15 for the great example pictured here, a well-marked and well-maintained hydrant area with clear access all around. That's exactly what we like to see. Thanks for helping keep our community safe!

07/17/2026

Sharing an important traffic advisory from the Williamsville, IL Police Department for this Saturday, July 18th.

The Union Pacific "Big Boy" steam locomotive will be passing through Williamsville between 9:15am and 10:30am, and the Main Street railroad crossing will be temporarily closed to create a safe viewing area for spectators.

If you're coming out to watch, please plan ahead:
Traffic crossing the tracks will be re-directed to the Valor Parkway overpass. The overpass is located on the south side of Old Route 66 and comes out on South Walnut Street, allowing you to bypass the closed Main Street crossing. Viewing is allowed in the marked yellow areas shown on the map. Parking is available at the Village Hall and on the east side of the Police Station, as space allows.

Please follow all posted signs and avoid parking in the roadway (It can be a tough squeeze for some of our trucks), keep clear of the tracks, and never attempt to cross a closed crossing.

Come enjoy a piece of railroad history, and let's keep everyone safe while doing it.

Traffic Advisory for Saturday 07/18/26 from 09:15am-10:30am. The Big Boy Steam locomotive will be traveling through the Village of Williamsville, the Main Street Railroad crossing will be temporarily closed to accommodate a safe viewing area for spectators. Traffic will be re-directed to the Valor Parkway overpass to cross the tracks. The map below shows yellow areas where viewing will be allowed, parking as available will be at the Village hall, or on the East side of the Police Station.

07/17/2026

The Williamsville Fire Protection District Needs You!

Your community is looking for volunteers to step up and serve. No experience? No problem. We provide the training, the gear, and the support. We just ask for a willingness to help your neighbors.

There's a role for everyone. Whether you want to fight fires, respond to medical emergencies as part of our EMS team, or contribute behind the scenes in a support role, we have a place for you. Every contribution matters, and you don't have to do it all to make a difference.

As a volunteer, you'll:
- Receive professional training and certifications
- Learn life-saving skills you'll carry forever
- Build lifelong friendships with a dedicated team
- Make a real, lasting difference right here at home

Whether you can give a lot of time or a little, when the pager goes off, it's your friends, family, and neighbors we answer for.
Ready to answer the call? Visit wvillefire.org/join to learn more and get started. Serving Williamsville starts with you.

Williamsville Fire Protection District — a volunteer fire department serving Williamsville, IL and Sangamon County. Emergency services, community events, open burning permits, and volunteer opportunities.

06/27/2026

Update: The interstate is now open. Please use caution in the area as crews continue to clean up.

Due to an accident, Interstate 55 southbound at the 109 mile marker will be closed. The on-ramp and off-ramp are unaffected. All interstate traffic is being forced to exit at the 109, and will likely cause heavy traffic at the overpass area. Please use caution when traveling through the area.

02/18/2026

UPDATE: As of 3/18/26, this is no longer in effect. Thank you!

Due to high winds and dry conditions, ALL OPEN BURNING is prohibited immediately throughout the Williamsville Fire Protection District (Village of Williamsville, Williams Township, and surrounding district).

This includes brush piles, leaf burning, and outdoor fires. Recreational fires in proper fire pits are still allowed. See the full notice below for complete details and contact information. We'll update when conditions improve. Stay safe!