VIDEO: In October of 2023, Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger announced the new Fire Chaplain Program and its leader, Chaplain William Preston. On Tuesday, all twelve stations have their very own chaplain.
The mission, to provide mental and emotional support to firefighters during and after trauma. But that’s not all, they are there for the community as they go through, potentially, the worst day of their life.
House fires, medical calls, anywhere they are needed, they respond.
Modeled from the Peoria Police Department’s chaplain program, Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger thought it would be a great idea to have someone available for his crew and the community.
“This unique concept, you know, chaplains responding with fire units on the scene, you know, mirroring that same concept with PD, knowing that fire and police do two totally different jobs, both public sector, both first responders,” he said.