Normal Fire Department

Delays and glitches in a new McLean County Computer Aided Dispatch system are frustrating public safety agencies. McLean County is implementing a new suite of software applications to speed up fire and police response in the county. It has not gone well.

Illinois State University students are tuning out fire alarm evacuation orders and taping over smoke detectors in campus dorms due to frequent fire alarms, raising concerns about whether students will respond when there is a real emergency.

A small group gathered at Friday's remembrance, which Normal Fire Chief Mick Humer said has grown from a solitary candle at the flagpole into an annual tradition over his 19 years leading the department.

The new, voluntary Blue Envelope Program is now part of the Normal Police Department's operations. It's used to improve interactions — usually traffic stops — with people who have autism, cognitive delays, communication differences or other neurodivergent conditions.

Mayor Chris Koos said he’s pleased the firefighters’ union is willing to have conversations about the fire service, and the future of the department outside of collective bargaining with the town.

Two Normal Firefighters received the state's Medal of Valor for trying to rescue a child from a fire last year. The award is given to a firefighter for an act of heroism or bravery that clearly demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of danger while in the performance of duty.

Officials representing McLean County, Bloomington and Normal said “the system worked” by implementing an all-hands effort during Friday’s powerful thunderstorms.

A pair of firefighters from Normal will be recognized for their acts of heroism during a rapid mobile home fire last November.

The union representing firefighters in the Town of Normal is giving up its request to add a fourth fire station. And the town is considering new traffic signal preemption technology that could cut 15-20 seconds off the average drive time to emergencies.

Firefighters unpinned a man who was trapped between a semi-trailer and loading dock at the Rivian's warehouse in north Normal. Kevin Lancaster of Heyworth was transported by ambulance but later died.