Brothers and Sisters,
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the duty related death of Brother Tim S. Evans of Mt. Prospect Firefighters, Local 4119. Brother Evans passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 30th, 2024. Brother Evans was 60 years old, and is survived by his wife, Sandy, and children Cole and McKenna.
By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated.
Brother Evans’s services are as follows:
Visitation: Thursday, April 4th, 2024, from 1500hrs – 2000hrs, at Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home- 112 W. Main St. PO Box 1048, Peotone, IL 60468.
Uniformed Personnel Walk-Through: Thursday, April 4th, 2024, at 1830hrs at Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home- 112 W. Main St. PO Box 1048, Peotone, IL 60468. Honor Guard personnel should arrive no later than 1730hrs for the walk-through.
Funeral Service: Thursday, April 4th, 2024, at 2000hrs, at Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home- 112 W. Main St. PO Box 1048, Peotone, IL 60468.
Parking will be at 311 W. Corning Ave., Peotone, IL 60468.
Gathering for the walk-through will be at Christ Community Church- 103 W. Corning Ave., Peotone, IL 60468.
Mt. Prospect’s Local may need assistance with Casket Guard, and Door Guard. 5th District Commander, Leon Lake, is working with the Local to see what we will need to support them.
Please plan on attending. Please bring tools for the services. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Evans, his family, and his Local.
Fraternally,
Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Captain Dan Kilian of the West Dundee Fire Department. Captain Kilian was a charter member of the West Dundee Professional Firefighters Union, Local 4882, and was a past President as well. Captain Kilian passed away on March 10th, from cancer. Captain Kilian was 46 years old, and is survived by his wife, Kristin and his six-year-old son, Noah.
Although this is NOT an activation, West Dundee’s Local and Captain Kilian’s family would like to have Honor Guard members participate at his services. His services are as follows:
Visitation: Friday, March 15, 2024, from 1600hrs to 1900hrs at First Congregational Church of Dundee- 900 S. 8th, St., West Dundee, IL 60118. There will be a uniformed personnel walk-through at 1900hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1830hrs.
Visitation & Funeral Visitation: Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 1030hrs at First Congregational Church of Dundee- 900 S. 8th St., West Dundee, IL 60118.
Funeral Procession: Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 1130hrs from First Congregational Church of Dundee- 900 S. 8thSt., West Dundee, IL 60118.
Please do what you can to attend and honor Captain Kilian, his family, and Local 4882.
Fraternally,
Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
The AFFI Executive Board is proud to announce the endorsement of our candidates for 2024 IAFF elections!
Mark Sanders for IAFF 8th District Vice President and Ed Kelly/Frank Lima for IAFF General President and Secretary-Treasurer.
Congratulations Brothers! We look forward to continuing our strong relationship and following your leadership into the future!
Brothers and Sisters,
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the Duty Related Death of Firefighter/Paramedic Thomas “Tommy” Sinclair of Oak Brook, Local 4646. Brother Sinclair passed away Friday, February 9th, 2024, after a battle with leukemia. Brother Sinclair was 37 years old. He is survived by his wife, Natalie, and sons Oliver and Mateo Garcia.
By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated.
Brother Sinclair’s services are as follows:
Wake: Thursday, February 15th, 2024, from 1500hrs – 2100hrs, at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home and Crematorium- 7861 88th Ave., Justice, IL 60458.
Uniformed Personnel Walk-Through: Thursday, February 15th, 2024, at 1900hrs, at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home and Crematorium- 7861 88th Ave., Justice, IL 60458. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1830hrs.
Please plan on attending. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Sinclair, his family, and his Local.
Fraternally,
Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
The Firefighting Medal of Honor Annual Award program established by Public Act 86-1230, will place emphasis and priority on the consideration of firefighters who have been killed or seriously injured in the line of duty and those who have displayed exceptional bravery or heroism while performing their
duties as a firefighter.
Applications are due by February 1st. Click the link below to access the application.
A message from AFFI President Chuck Sullivan about Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month:
Occupational Cancer is Killing Fire Fighters
January is Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month when local fire service organizations educate fire fighters about prevention and survival.
Occupational cancer is claiming the lives of more fire fighters than any other cause, including fires and other on-scene incidents. The Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois (AFFI), an affiliate of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) are partnering to deliver targeted education about best practices and resources to prevent and reduce cancer among fire fighters during Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month in January.
During 2024 Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month (iaff.org/cancer-awareness-month), the IAFF and FCSN will partner to deliver targeted education and best practices and resources to reduce the impact of cancer on fire fighters.
This year’s Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month highlights comprehensive strategies to reduce cancer risk throughout a fire fighter’s life. This includes implementing best practices in station design to limit exposures to carcinogens, emphasizing precautions during firefighting like proper equipment use and designated decontamination zones. This month-long campaign will address personal risk factors during off-duty hours such as nutrition and stress and highlight fire fighter success stories to encourage awareness and engagement to end cancer in the fire service.
“More than two-thirds of the names we added to our IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Wall last September died of job-related cancer,” says IAFF General President Edward Kelly. “Science confirms that PFAS forever chemicals are driving the alarming rate of cancer in the fire service. We must do everything we can to eliminate this threat, not just for those on the job today, but for generations of fire fighters to follow. Together, the IAFF and the FCSN will do whatever it takes to keep fire fighters healthy and safe.”
“Ensuring the health and well-being of fire fighters is our top priority so we can keep our communities safe. We know that there needs to be further education, more assistance, and resources for fire fighters when it comes to navigating an occupational cancer diagnosis,” says AFFI President, Chuck Sullivan. “Working together with such dedicated groups, there is no doubt that this partnership will increase awareness and save lives.”
“Our members are being diagnosed with cancer due to on-the-job exposures. We have had the solemn duty of adding far too many of their names to the walls of our IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial,” says Sullivan. “That’s why we passed an AFFI Convention Resolution two years ago to establish January as Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month – to give our hard-working members the most up-to-date guidance and data that will allow them the opportunity to enjoy a long, safe career and a healthy retirement.”
Brothers and Sisters,
It is with great sadness that I inform you of the Duty Related Death of Firefighter/Paramedic Brad “BB” Belanger of Sycamore, Local 3046. Brother Belanger passed away Friday, December 22nd after a battle with cancer. Brother Belanger was 45 years old. He is survived by his wife, Jamie, and sons Dakota (24), and Hunter (16).
By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated.
Brother Belanger’s services are as follows:
Visitation: Saturday, January 6th, 2024, from 1100hrs – 1500hrs, at Sycamore Community Center- 480 Airport Rd., Sycamore, IL 60178.
Uniformed Personnel Walk-through: Saturday, January 6th, 2024, at 1600hrs, at Sycamore Community Center- 480 Airport Rd., Sycamore, IL 60178. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1530hrs and stage at the ball fields across the street.
Please plan on attending, and please bring Local flags and tools for the services. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Belanger, his family, and his Local.
Fraternally,
Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
A message from AFFI Honor Guard Commander Jay Coburn:
Brothers and Sisters,
With great sadness, I want to inform you all of the passing of Brother Steven Diehl, South Elgin Professional Firefighters, Local 4833 (Retired). Brother Diehl was an active member of the AFFI Honor Guard.
Shortly after retirement, Brother Diehl was diagnosed with ALS. He succumbed to his disease early this morning. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Ar Deis Dé go raibh a ainm Dilís.
Fraternally,
Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]
affi1935.org/honorguard
