Summary
The Braidwood Fire Protection District has a long history of proudly serving the community. As the district continues to grow and emergency service needs become more complex, BFPD faces important decisions about how to plan for the future of fire, rescue and emergency medical services.
Planning for a Safer Future was created to bring residents, community members and district leaders together in a transparent, community-led process. The goal was to provide accurate information about the fire district’s current operations, challenges and future needs, while giving residents meaningful opportunities to ask questions, share priorities and help shape recommendations for the future.
Throughout the process, participants learned about the district’s staffing, equipment, facilities, finances, emergency response responsibilities and future challenges. They also discussed the resources needed to continue providing high-quality emergency services as the community grows and changes.
This page summarizes the Planning for a Safer Future process, what participants learned, what the community said and the recommendations developed based on feedback gathered throughout the process.
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In 2026, community members and Braidwood Fire Protection District leaders began the Planning for a Safer Future community engagement process.
This effort was designed to actively involve residents in developing a long-range plan for fire and emergency medical services in the BFPD community. The process focused on helping the community better understand the challenges facing the district and the choices needed to protect emergency services now and in the future.
The major topics studied during the process included:
- Increasing demand for fire and emergency medical services
- Staffing levels and the need for more full-time firefighter/paramedics
- Recruiting and retaining qualified emergency responders
- Aging equipment and apparatus
- Facility needs, including the ability to support personnel, equipment, training and operations
- Protecting large areas without access to a water supply
- Stable funding for emergency services now and in the future
- Long-term financial sustainability
The Planning for a Safer Future process included community engagement workshops, informational presentations, small-group work activities, group reporting, executive summaries and public documentation of feedback gathered throughout the process.
The Braidwood Fire Protection District Community Charge
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.
Community Engagement Workshops
Community Workshop #1
“Braidwood Fire Protection District Today“
Community Workshop #3
“Staffing and Finances“
Community Workshop #4
“Options and Recommendations for a Long-Term Plan“
* Note: Due to severe weather, residents were unable to attend Community Engagement Workshop #2 held on March 26, 2026.
Final Community Recommendations
The Braidwood Fire Protection District is facing challenges that require long-term planning and community understanding.
Planning for a Safer Future participants studied the district’s staffing, equipment, facilities, finances and future emergency response needs. The recommendations that followed reflect the community feedback gathered throughout the process and the charge to develop a long-range plan for fire and emergency medical services in a fiscally responsible manner.
RECOMMENDATION A: Develop a Long-Term Plan to Meet the Future Needs of the Braidwood Fire Protection District
RECOMMENDATION B: Develop a Long-Term Facilities Plan
RECOMMENDATION C: Maintain and Replace Critical Equipment and Apparatus
RECOMMENDATION D: Recruit, Retain and Train Highly Qualified Emergency Responders
RECOMMENDATION E: Ensure Future Growth Contributes to Public Safety Infrastructure
RECOMMENDATION F: Continue Community Engagement and Communication
RECOMMENDATION G: Plan for Long-Term Financial Sustainability
RECOMMENDATION H: Ask the Community to Consider a 32¢ Tax Increase
In July 2026, these recommendations were presented to the Board of Trustees. For more details, you can review the presentation and the final report given to the board by clicking the links below.
Planning for a Safer Future Final Report
Planning for a Safer Future Board Presentation
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