John Bergeron

John Bergeron serves as the Fire Chief of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department. A lifelong resident of Roscoe and graduate of Hononegah High School, John began his fire service career as a department cadet in 1981 before becoming a firefighter in July 1983.

Throughout his distinguished career, John has advanced through the ranks of the department. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1992, Captain in February 2006, Deputy Chief in February 2009, and Fire Chief in November 2023. In July 2010, he became a full-time member of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department.

John became certified as an EMT in 1984 and a Paramedic in 1988. He holds numerous Illinois State certifications, including Advanced Technician Firefighter, Hazardous Materials Operations, Instructor II, Fire Officer II, Vehicle and Machinery Operations, and Trench Rescue Operations. He has also completed coursework at Rock Valley College while pursuing an Associate's Degree.

In addition to his departmental responsibilities, John has been actively involved in regional emergency services and professional organizations. He currently serves on the Region 1 EMS Advisory Committee, the SwedishAmerican Hospital EMS Advisory Committee, and the SwedishAmerican Hospital Chest Pain Center Committee. He previously served as Vice President of MABAS Division 8, was a member of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, and is a past President of the Winnebago Fire Chiefs Association.

John's dedication to the fire service has been recognized with numerous honors throughout his career. He was named Roscoe VFW Firefighter of the Year in 1991 and again in 2008, received the NIEMS Paramedic of the Year Award in 1997, and was presented with the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department Firefighters' Choice Good Service Award in 2009.

John and his wife, Deann, have two children, Ashlee and Dalton, and are proud grandparents to four grandchildren: Jazzalyn, Julian, Kennedy, and Beckett.