General Overview
Members of the BFPD community are invited to participate in the Planning for a Safer Future workshops and help plan for the future of our fire district. Community members are welcome to attend any or all four workshops, beginning with the first session on Thursday, February 19 from 6-8 p.m. All workshops will be held at Reed-Custer Elementary School.
Dates and topics for each of the workshops are as follows:
February 19 from 6-8 p.m. – BFPD Fire 101
March 26 from 6-8 p.m. – A Deeper Dive into Fire, Rescue and Other Services
April 29 from 6-8 p.m. – Staffing and Finances
May 20 from 6-8 p.m. – Options/Recommendations for a Long-Term Plan
Since its founding, the Braidwood Fire Protection District has served as the cornerstone of safety for our community. What began as a volunteer department in the late 1800s has grown into a district that now responds to more than 2,000 emergency calls each year across 38 square miles. As our community grows and emergency calls increase, the District must look ahead to ensure we have the staffing, facilities and resources needed to continue delivering high-quality service.
Today, Braidwood Fire faces new realities that present a number of complex challenges we need to address to define how the district continues its proud tradition of service while preparing for the demands of tomorrow.
These challenges include:
•Increasing demand for fire and emergency medical services.
•Hiring more full-time firefighter/paramedics to serve the BFPD community
•Recruiting and retaining qualified firefighter/paramedics.
•Updating aging facilities and equipment
•Ensuring firefighters have up-to-date training
•Protecting large areas without a water supply
•Securing stable funding for emergency services now and in the future
The numbers tell a compelling story. In 2024, the Braidwood Fire Protection District ran a total of 2,024 calls of service, including 1,076 EMS related calls, and 37 calls of service for fire-related emergencies. The rest of the calls are for a wide range of emergency requests. Last year saw calls continue to increase, with the Braidwood Fire Protection District running a total of 2,239 calls of service in 2025, including 1,165 EMS related calls, 35 calls of service for fire-related emergencies and the rest of the calls are for a wide range of emergency requests.
BFPD now needs the community’s help to address these challenges.
Planning for a Safer Future is a community-led process to bring Braidwood residents together in conversation as we work to develop a long-range plan to provide fire and emergency medical services in our community.
Help Guide the Future of the Braidwood Fire Protection District
The Board of Trustees of the Braidwood Fire Protection District is calling on residents to help
guide the future of fire and emergency services in our community. We are forming a Community
Engagement Facilitating Team made up of local residents who will lead conversations about
the long-term needs of the District.
This team will:
Learn and Understand
- The current state of district operations including staffing, facilities, equipment and
finances. - How call volume, staffing, and regional factors affect service delivery.
- The level of fire and EMS service the community expects, and the resources needed to
meet those expectations safely and reliably.
Engage and Gather Feedback
- Implement a community engagement process that actively involves district residents in
reviewing challenges and opportunities facing the district. - Gather input on community priorities for service levels, staffing, and facilities.
Develop Findings and Recommendations
- Prepare a report summarizing community input, current perceptions and priorities.
- Provide recommendations to the Board of Trustees for sustaining and strengthening
emergency services, including funding, staffing and facility considerations.
Your voice matters. By sharing your perspective, you can help ensure that our District continues
to meet the highest standards of service while planning responsibly for the future.
If you’re passionate about the safety and well-being of Braidwood, we encourage you to apply.
You can find the link to apply today to be part of shaping the future of the Braidwood Fire
Protection District on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/braidwoodfd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning for a Safer Future Community Engagement FAQ
What is Planning for a Safer Future?
Planning for a Safer Future is a program to bring the community together in conversation as we work to develop a long-range plan for fire and emergency medical services in our community. Planning for a Safer Future will take a deep dive into the challenges facing the fire district today:
Increasing demand for fire and emergency medical services.
Hiring more full-time firefighter/paramedics to serve the BFPD community
Recruiting and retaining qualified firefighter/paramedics.
Updating aging facilities and equipment
Ensuring firefighters have up-to-date training
Protecting large areas without a water supply
Securing stable funding for emergency services now and in the future
We recognize that ensuring strong fire and emergency services in the years ahead requires careful planning, community input and shared responsibility.
Who can participate?
Everyone in the Braidwood community is encouraged to attend our community engagement workshops, open houses and building tours, and participate in our online surveys.
Do I need to attend every community engagement workshop?
While attending every workshop is helpful, it is not required. We encourage everyone to participate in the process as their schedule allows, even if it’s only one workshop, building tour or open house.
Why should I get involved?
Participants in Planning for a Safer Future are developing recommendations for the Board of Trustees around a long-range plan for fire and emergency medical services in our community. These recommendations will reflect the thoughts and opinions of our entire community and we need to hear what you think!
Who is leading Planning for a Safer Future?
Planning for a Safer Future is a community-led effort. There are two community co-chairs who lead a 17-member facilitating team of community members and BFPD leadership. This facilitating team is responsible for developing the monthly community engagement workshops and other ways to gather community feedback. The facilitating team also leads the preparation of the final recommendation of goals and priorities for the Board of Trustees.
What can I expect at a Planning for a Safer Future community engagement workshop?
Each community engagement workshop is an interactive workshop that includes a 30 – 45 minute informational presentation on a specific topic followed by a small-group work activity. Participants are seated in groups of six to eight people and work together to come to a general agreement on a series of tasks related to the informational presentation. When the tasks are completed, each group shares their ideas and suggestions with everyone in attendance.
The feedback gathered during these work activities serves as the foundation for the recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
How long are the community engagement workshops?
Each community engagement workshop runs from 6-8 p.m. We want to be respectful of your time and will end every workshop by 8 p.m., if not before.
When are the engagement workshops?
The engagement workshops are scheduled for these dates:
Thursday, Feb. 19, from 6-8 p.m. at Reed-Custer Elementary School (162 S School St.)
Thursday, Mar. 26, from 6-8 p.m. at Reed-Custer Elementary School (162 S School St.)
Wednesday, Apr. 29, from 6-8 p.m. at Reed-Custer Elementary School (162 S School St.)
Wednesday, May 20, from 6-8 p.m. at Reed-Custer Elementary School (162 S School St.)
Where are the community engagement workshops held?
Our Planning for a Safer Future workshops will take place at Reed-Custer Elementary School (162 S School St.).
What topics will be covered in the Planning for a Safer Future process?
Our first community workshop will provide an overview of the Braidwood Fire Protection District and the challenges we need to address. The following workshops will take a deeper dive into those challenges based on feedback from workshop participants.
I missed a workshop. Is there a way to see what was covered?
Yes! All of the Planning for a Safer Future community engagement workshops are thoroughly documented. For information about each workshop, visit braidwoodfire.org.
If I can’t attend a community engagement workshop, is there a way to provide my input and suggestions?
Yes, throughout the process we will be offering surveys, open house events and more to give everyone in the community the opportunity to provide feedback. Stay tuned to our social media channels and website for more information.
I have a question. How can I find out more?
To learn more, email cjude@braidwoodfire.org.
