Calumet City Professional Firefighters Local 621

10/04/2026

Today, the Calumet City Fire Department had the honor of hosting our annual Retirement Awards Ceremony, a tradition that recognizes the men and women who have dedicated their careers to serving our residents and protecting our community.

As a small token of our appreciation, each retiree receives a traditional gift representing their rank and years of service. Firefighters receive a pickhead axe, Engineers receive a street pipe, Lieutenants receive a silver bugle, and Captains receive a gold bugle. While these gifts may seem simple, they represent a lifetime of sacrifice, dedication, brotherhood, and service.

Unfortunately, this tradition was put on hold following the COVID-19 pandemic, and we fell behind in recognizing our retirees. Today, we were proud to bring it back and look forward to making it an annual celebration once again.

One of the greatest parts of today was seeing so many familiar faces return to the firehouse. Listening to stories from years past, sharing a few laughs, and remembering the calls, friendships, and experiences that shaped our department reminded us of what makes the fire service so special. The faces may change, and the years may pass, but the brotherhood and the memories will always remain.

We would like to extend a special thank-you to the retirees who helped organize today’s ceremony and made this celebration possible.

To all our newly recognized retirees, congratulations on a well-deserved retirement. Your years of service have left a lasting mark on this department and the community you proudly served. We wish you many years of good health, happiness, and time with your loved ones as you begin this next chapter of your lives.

You may have retired from the job, but you will always be part of the Calumet City Fire Department family.

10/03/2026

Time is running out! Don’t miss your chance to get your IAFF Local 621 Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirt!

Tomorrow, Sunday, October 4, is the last day to place your order! The online store will officially close at midnight.

Help us support a great cause and show your support for everyone affected by breast cancer. Every shirt helps spread awareness and reminds those fighting that they are not alone.

Get your orders in before it’s too late! Click the link below to purchase your shirt.

10/03/2026

09/28/2026

The Calumet City Fire Department would like to congratulate Fire Chief Glenn Bachert as he prepares to retire after an incredible career of service to our department and the residents of Calumet City.

Chief Bachert has dedicated his career to protecting this community and leading the men and women of our department. His commitment to public safety, his firefighters, and the residents we serve has left a lasting impact on the Calumet City Fire Department.

Throughout his career, Chief Bachert led by example and never forgot where he came from. Whether leading the department or responding alongside his crews, he remained committed to serving Calumet City with pride and dedication.

We invite our residents, friends, and community partners to join us on October 13 at 5:00 PM as we recognize Chief Bachert and thank him for his many years of dedicated service.

Congratulations, Chief Bachert, and thank you for everything you have given to the Calumet City Fire Department and our community.

09/27/2026

Today at CCFD, we spent our Sunday making gravy from scratch with homemade gnocchi. It was a long process, and there were definitely a few moments when we wondered what we got ourselves into.

But by the time everything came together, we realized it was about much more than the meal.

We spent the day working together, laughing, learning, and enjoying something we made from start to finish.

In the firehouse, some of the best memories are made around the kitchen table with the people you serve beside every day.

That’s what Sundays at the firehouse are all about.

We hope everyone had a great weekend and has a safe week ahead.

09/25/2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor those who have fought breast cancer, remember those we have lost, and support those who are still fighting.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month began in 1985 as a campaign focused on educating people about breast cancer and the importance of early detection. Over time, it grew into the month-long campaign recognized every October today.

The pink ribbon became a symbol of breast cancer awareness in the early 1990s. In 1991, pink ribbons were handed out at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in New York City. The following year, the pink ribbon became even more widely recognized across the country. Since then, pink has become a worldwide symbol of hope, support, and awareness for those affected by breast cancer.

This October, IAFF Local 621 is proud to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month by selling our own breast cancer awareness T-shirts. Wearing pink is a simple way for our members, families, and community to stand together and show support for everyone whose life has been touched by breast cancer.

Check out this year’s design and let us know what you think!

The online store will close Sunday, October 4 at midnight.

Click the attached link below to place your order before the store closes.

https://calcitypink.itemorder.com/shop/home/

National Breast Cancer Foundation
The City of Calumet City

09/17/2026

Tradition has a way of bringing people together.

Since 2002, TF North Football players and coaches have gathered every Thursday during the season for their spaghetti dinner.

It’s a chance to sit together, share a meal, and build the kind of bond that carries onto the field Friday night.

That tradition means a little more to us because several members of Calumet City Firefighters Local 621 are proud TF North alumni.

We know what it means to sit around a table as a team. We do it every day in our firehouses, where some of the strongest bonds are built over a meal.

Today, Local 621 was proud to stop by and make a donation to help keep this TF North tradition going for the next generation of Meteors.

Good luck Friday night.

Go Meteors!

Thornton Fractional High School District 215
Thornton Fractional North High School

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation and the fire service changed forever. On September 11, 2001, 343 FDNY firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice while answering the call. In the days and weeks that followed, firefighters from across the United States and Canada traveled to New York to support their brothers and sisters. The International Association of Fire Fighters immediately mobilized resources, counselors, and support for FDNY members and their families.

The IAFF would go on to raise more than $167 million for the families of the fallen. Organized labor also answered the call. Firefighters, police officers, construction workers, nurses, transit workers, utility workers, and countless other union members worked side by side during the rescue, recovery, and rebuilding efforts. Nearly 10,000 construction workers volunteered at Ground Zero alone

The sacrifice did not end on September 11. More than 600 firefighters have since died from World Trade Center related diseases, and thousands of responders continue to live with cancer, respiratory disease, and other illnesses caused by their exposure.

The IAFF and the labor movement continued fighting for these members, helping secure health monitoring, medical treatment, compensation, and protections through programs such as the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act and the World Trade Center Health Program.

Today, Calumet City Firefighters IAFF Local 621 stands with our brothers and sisters across the fire service and organized labor in remembering everyone who answered the call. Rest in peace to the 343 FDNY firefighters who gave their lives that morning and to all those we have lost since because of September 11.

Always Remember. Never Forget. (AFL-CIO⁠)

AFL-CIO
International Association of Fire Fighters