Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees for April 21, 2026

Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees Meeting | April 21, 2026

The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees held its regular monthly meeting April 21, 2026, at Fire Station No. 71, with all five trustees present. The board’s most significant actions were authorizing payment of $260,517.79 in district bills and reappointing Heather Dauber to the Board of Fire Commissioners, both on unanimous roll-call votes (covered in a standalone story). Trustees also reviewed competing property and casualty insurance renewal proposals but delayed a decision to their next meeting (also covered separately). The remainder of the meeting consisted of committee reports and updates on the district’s ongoing community outreach campaign. The board met briefly in closed session and took no subsequent action, adjourning at 5:58 p.m.

Community Outreach Campaign Continues With Open Houses Planned

Trustees provided updates on the district’s community outreach effort, conducted in collaboration with Discovery Works. Spano reported that residents have expressed concern about the district’s finances and that Chief Kinsella will schedule a meeting between James Howard, residents and the district. Spano said he was pleased with consistent attendance and new participants, and that the next two open houses, scheduled for May 31 and June 7, would be posted on social media. Field said meetings have been productive and “pro-fire,” and relayed that, per consultant Jennifer, Lemont’s fire campaign drew fewer participants. Kinsella said a resident survey would be distributed ahead of the first open house and remain open through June 8, with results presented at the June board meeting.

Personnel: Hiring Planned Amid Retirements and Workers’ Comp Absences

Kinsella reported during the personnel committee report that three members are off on workers’ compensation, with two of the three on light duty. Probationary member Matt Kahn resigned and joined the Bolingbrook department. The chief said the district is looking to hire three to four people by June 1 to address upcoming retirements and level out staffing across shifts.

Mobile Equipment: Ladder Truck Transmission Replaced, Monitor Issues Reported

Kinsella told the board the transmission in the ladder truck has been replaced and the pumper tender at Station 73 has been fixed. A third party conducted hose testing, paid for by the Foundation, and Cradlepoint units on the rigs’ mobile data terminals have been replaced. He said PSTRAX will replace the “Check It” system as of June 1, 2026. Kinsella also reported frustration with Zoll cardiac monitors that were not providing blood pressure readings appropriately; Zoll took the monitors back, and crews are currently using the X Series Advanced until the issue is resolved.

Facilities: Station 73 Stage Rebuilt, Graceland Lane Repaving Planned

In the facilities report, Kinsella thanked Lt. Brian Adcock for rebuilding the stage at Station 73, with carpeting to follow and funding provided by Home Depot. He also reported that Graceland Lane near Station 72 will be repaved by Frankfort Township.

Trustees Note Junior Firefighter Camp Revival, Training Demonstration

During trustee comments, Field said she was pleased that Lt. Pavesich is working to re-establish the Junior Firefighting Camp program, which may run for a couple of days at a few hours per day. McGeever said he watched a training demonstration on Route 30. Kinsella said he would attend the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association Symposium in Peoria on May 5-7, 2026, and that he would not attend the FDIC Conference after missing the application window.