Bourbonnais Fire Protection District issued the following announcement on Jan. 28.
After 42 years of service to the Bourbonnais Fire Protection District, Chief Ed St. Louis has announced his retirement. There are not enough words to express the impact on the Bourbonnais community that Chief St. Louis has had. He has been a mentor, instructor and friend to the members of Bourbonnais Fire Protection and we are grateful for everything he has done.
Chief's Letter:
January 25, 2021
Dear Fire Service Friends and Family,
After 42 years with the Bourbonnais Fire Protection District, I have decided it is time to retire. My last shift day with Bourbonnais Fire is Friday, February 26, 2021, and I will officially retire on Sunday, February 28, 2021. It's been a privilege and honor to serve the citizens and district throughout these years. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities that have been given me, and for the many friendships that I've been blessed with during this time.
In looking back over my years with the district t, I see a department that now looks very different from the department of June, 1978 when I first joined as a POC. At that time, Bourbonnais Fire Protection District was known as Bourbonnais "Rural" Fire Protection District, and was a separate entity from the Village of Bourbonnais Fire Department. Eventually the two departments merged. Over the years, we have added staffing, replaced equipment, established automatic aid with our neighbors, created a fire commission, negotiated our first labor agreement, and recently swore in our first three battalion chiefs. Moving forward, Jim Keener will assume the title of Fire Chief on March 1, 2021. With the leadership of the department in good hands, the future of Bourbonnais Fire looks promising.
I want to recognize my family for supporting me during my time with the district. I am also extremely grateful for the support of the Board of Trustees who have always had the best interest of the district at heart, and who have always been supportive of my endeavors. I extend my thanks to the members of the Fire Commission who have given their best in overseeing personnel matters. I want to thank all of the hardworking members who are ready to respond at a moment's notice to a citizen's need, whether it be fire or EMS related. I am grateful to live in this community where we have such committed people.
Finally, I wish to pay tribute to the members of the department who are no longer with us. We've had some wonderfully devoted people who have contributed greatly to this department over the years.
I have asked to serve as the department historian in retirement. I would enjoy compiling photos and documents that will tell the story of and preserve the history of our district.
Respectfully,
Ed St. Louis
Original source can be found here.
Source: Bourbonnais Fire Protection District
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