News Flash

The Snow Emergency, including odd/even parking, is now canceled. 

The Snow Emergency, including odd/even parking, is now canceled. 

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Mayor’s Office of Domestic and Community Violence Prevention has released a Coordinated Community Response to Strangulation Protocol, developed by its Strangulation Task Force. This protocol details our community’s key stakeholders’ response to non-fatal strangulation in intimate partner violence cases. It also memorializes the collaborative efforts of multidisciplinary partners, establishes a unified framework for response and training, and serves as a resource to enhance public understanding and support for survivors. 

Strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of violence and a strong predictor of future homicide. Research shows that victims of non-fatal strangulation are 750% more likely to be killed by their partner in the future. Despite the severity, strangulation often leaves few visible signs, making it difficult to detect and respond to without coordinated awareness, training and response procedures.

The protocol represents our community’s collective commitment to recognizing the signs of strangulation, responding with urgency, and ensuring survivors receive trauma-informed care, medical attention and legal support.

The Strangulation Task Force includes key partners from:

• Rockford Police
• Rockford Fire
• Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office
• Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office
• UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital
• MERIT (Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team)
• Family Peace Center

The protocol details coordinated response procedures for emergency telecommunicators, EMTs, emergency room staff, law enforcement, prosecutors, advocates, and pediatric specialists, ensuring that every survivor receives consistent, evidence-based care and support from the moment of crisis through investigation and recovery. It also includes links to each partner's webpage, online training, and other resources. 

Strangulation Protocol link

Today, the Fire and Police Commission voted unanimously to appoint Rebecca Tyo as the next Rockford Fire Department Chief. 

Chief Tyo joined the Rockford Fire Department in 2009 and, over the course of 16 years of dedicated service, has held a range of roles, including Firefighter, Firefighter/Paramedic, Lieutenant, Fire Training Coordinator and Captain. She holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Kinesiology, and has earned professional credentials including the Fire Officer (FO) designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and the Illinois Professional Emergency Manager (IPEM) accreditation from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA).

“We were fortunate to have had five incredible finalists, each bringing impressive experience and talent to the table. After a thorough selection process by our citizen-led Fire and Police Commission, Rebecca emerged as the top candidate,” says Mayor Tom McNamara. “I want to thank our incredible commissioners for their dedication and thoughtful work throughout this process. I have full confidence that Rebecca will do an outstanding job, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact she will have on our department and our community.”

Today, the Fire and Police Commission announced the finalists for Chief of the Rockford Fire Department.

Jeffrey Althoff.- District Chief, Rockford Fire Department, with 25 years of service.  B.S. in General Studies and ongoing studies toward a M.S. in Public Safety Administration. Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation by the Center for Public Safety Excellence and the Illinois Professional Emergency Manager (IPEM) accreditation by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). 

Scott Bavery - Assistant Fire Chief, Madison Fire Department, with 28 years of service. B.S. in Community Health Education and a M.S. in Emergency Management Services. Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation by the Center for Public Safety Excellence. 

Matthew Cordonnier - Logistics Chief, Rockford Fire Department, with 15 years of service. B.S. in Fire Administration and ongoing studies toward a M.S. in Executive Fire Leadership and Public Administration. Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation by the Center for Public Safety Excellence and the Illinois Professional Emergency Manager (IPEM) accreditation by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). 

Timothy Morris - Captain/Fire Prevention Coordinator, Rockford Fire Department, with 24 years of service. B.S. in Public Fire Administration and pursuing a Master of Executive Leadership. Working toward the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

Rebecca Tyo - Captain, Rockford Fire Department, with 16 years of service. B.S. and a M.S. in Kinesiology. Holds the Fire Officer (FO) designation by the Center for Public Safety Excellence and the Illinois Professional Emergency Manager (IPEM) accreditation by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA).

The public can hear from the finalists at an upcoming Virtual Question and Answer Forum on Tuesday, September 23, from 5 to 6 p.m. The public can join the forum at https://tinyurl.com/rfdvirtualforum.

Questions are being collected by IOS Industrial/Organizational Solutions – the consulting firm hired to help the Fire and Police Commission in the recruitment and evaluation of candidates. The public can submit questions they’d like candidates to answer during the forum to RockfordFD@iosolutions.com by September 15.

There will also be in-person Meet and Greet session with the finalists on Monday, October 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. in Kresge Hall at the Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main Street.

The City of Rockford’s Fire and Police Commission, in consultation with Industrial/Organizational Solutions, has launched a search for its next Fire Chief, and we’re inviting the community to be part of the process.

We’re hosting two virtual community engagement sessions to gather feedback on what qualities, experience and priorities residents would like to see in the next leader of the Rockford Fire Department.

• Virtual Sessions: Monday, August 18 at 5 p.m. - https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NGE1MWU5YTYtZTYwMS00NThkLWIxYTctNzUzMDlkYTM0OWEy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22e6d702ef-1cd6-45ec-b3b3-cc298324a9ac%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22abf34e7a-53cf-4593-b469-111b90236df0%22%7d
• Tuesday, August 19 at noon - https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MGUwNmNlNWEtYjgwMy00NWE4LWI5NGYtYjQ4OTBmY2M5OGE2%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22e6d702ef-1cd6-45ec-b3b3-cc298324a9ac%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22abf34e7a-53cf-4593-b469-111b90236df0%22%7d

If you can’t attend one of these sessions, you can send your feedback to RockfordFD@iosolutions.com.

Your voice matters—help us shape the future of public safety leadership in Rockford.

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