John Bergeron is sworn in as Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District chief

Bergeron has been interim chief since October 2022.

John Bergeron is sworn in as Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District chief
(L-R) Deann Bergeron, Deputy Chief Kevin Briggs, Division Chief Jeff Grant, Battalion Chief John Donovan and Battalion Chief Mike Jones. Bart Munger, President of the HRFD Board of Trustees, swore in John Bergeron as the new fire chief.

On Monday evening, November 27, 2023, John Bergeron was sworn in as the new chief by Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District President Bart Munger during a ceremony at Fire Station #1, 10544 Main Street, in Roscoe.   Bergeron's wife, Deann, pinned the official badge on her husband’s jacket.

Bergeron has served as interim chief of the Harlem Roscoe Fire Protection District following the resignation of Chief Patrick Trollop in October 2022.

Bergeron became the tenth chief in the Roscoe fire department’s 80-year history. While three served less than one year, several served decades, including Donald Shoevlin and Oscar Presley.

Bergeron is a life-long resident of Roscoe, IL, and a graduate of Hononegah High School. He joined the fire district in 1981 and became a firefighter in 1983.  He also served as an EMT.

Bergeron thanked his family, trustees and past chiefs who he said had been a positive impact on his career.

Bergeron commented on the special bond of the firefighter community.  “Being a firefighter is not just a job, it’s a way of life,”  he said. “Together we provide a safer and stronger community.”

In other honors at the ceremony, firefighter Lori Lynch received a Black Shield, officially ending her one-year probationary period, while Nathan Theisen was officially sworn in as a probationary firefighter.