Meet the Staff

    Staff Photo

    Fire Chief

    Andy Quarnstrom

    Chief Andy Quarnstrom has served the Champaign Fire Department since 1997 where he has held the rank of Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief before being appointed Fire Chief in February 2024. Chief Quarnstrom has an Associates in Paramedicine from Parkland College, a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University, and will complete his Masters in Public Administration in May of 2024 from the University of Illinois Springfield. Chief Quarnstrom has been

    Read More


    Chief Andy Quarnstrom has served the Champaign Fire Department since 1997 where he has held the rank of Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief before being appointed Fire Chief in February 2024. Chief Quarnstrom has an Associates in Paramedicine from Parkland College, a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University, and will complete his Masters in Public Administration in May of 2024 from the University of Illinois Springfield. Chief Quarnstrom has been on the boards of numerous non-profits both locally and nationally as well as served as an elected official in his community. Chief Quarnstrom and his wife Erin call Champaign home along with their two college age children.

    Show Less

    Staff Photo

    Deputy Chief

    Josh Jessup

    Deputy Chief Joshua Jessup began his career at CFD in 2005. Josh has held the ranks of Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant and Captain before being appointed Deputy Fire Chief in February 2024. Josh has a Bachelor’s in Health Studies and Education from Eastern Illinois University and a Master’s in Public Administration

    Read More


    Deputy Chief Joshua Jessup began his career at CFD in 2005. Josh has held the ranks of Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant and Captain before being appointed Deputy Fire Chief in February 2024. Josh has a Bachelor’s in Health Studies and Education from Eastern Illinois University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Purdue Global. Josh’s passions in the fire service include Safety, Wellness and Mental/Behavorial Health. Josh helped start the Champaign Fire Department Peer Support Team in 2013 and still serves as a Peer Supporter in Champaign and regionally.

    Show Less

      Staff Photo

      Deputy Chief

      Jason Rector

      Deputy Chief Jason Rector has served the Champaign Fire Department since 2008 where he has held the rank of Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, and Captain before being appointed to Deputy Chief in February 2024. Jason has a Master’s degree in Safety, Security and Emergency Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Fire

      Read More


      Deputy Chief Jason Rector has served the Champaign Fire Department since 2008 where he has held the rank of Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, and Captain before being appointed to Deputy Chief in February 2024. Jason has a Master’s degree in Safety, Security and Emergency Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Fire and Safety Engineering from Eastern Kentucky University. Jason currently serves on the Champaign County CASA board of directors and has held numerous roles with the Champaign County United Way. DC Rector was born and raised in Champaign. Jason attended Robeson Elementary, Jefferson Middle and Centennial High School.

      Show Less

        Staff Photo

        Deputy Chief

        Gary Gula

        Deputy Chief Gary Gula is a 34-year veteran of the Champaign Fire Department. He has served as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief of Training, and Deputy Chief of Operations. Throughout his fire service career, he has developed a passion for training. Beginning as early as his role as a

        Read More


        Deputy Chief Gary Gula is a 34-year veteran of the Champaign Fire Department. He has served as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief of Training, and Deputy Chief of Operations. Throughout his fire service career, he has developed a passion for training. Beginning as early as his role as a firefighter, he has led fire department training, sharing skills to prepare his fellow firefighters in life saving skills and techniques. In 1995, he became an instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute, where he has been able to pass along what he has learned to more than 50 academies of firefighting recruits. Prior to entering the fire service, he proudly served in the United States Army from 1984-1987. Following his time in the Army, he attended Parkland College and the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute.

        Show Less

        Staff Photo

        Building Safety Supervisor

        Randy Smith

        Randy Smith oversees and coordinates permit and inspection activities for

        Read More


        Randy Smith oversees and coordinates permit and inspection activities for construction in Champaign.  The Building Safety Division ensures quality construction, energy efficient buildings, and confirms that life safety and accessibility code requirements are met. Mr. Smith’s areas of supervision include plan reviews and inspections of buildings, fire protection systems, electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems. Mr. Smith is also a Champaign County Emergency Management Agency Damage Assessment Coordinator.

        Show Less

        Staff Photo

        Deputy Fire Marshal

        Jeremy Mitchell

        Jeremy Mitchell performs fire inspections and code enforcement in commercial

        Read More


        Jeremy Mitchell performs fire inspections and code enforcement in commercial properties and conducts fire safety educational programs within the City. He also is a member of the Fire Department’s fire investigation team.

        Show Less

        Staff Photo

        Deputy Fire Marshal

        Robert Simmons

        Robert Simmons performs fire inspections and code enforcement in commercial

        Read More


        Robert Simmons performs fire inspections and code enforcement in commercial properties and conducts fire safety educational programs within the City. He also is a member of the Fire Department’s fire investigation team.

        Show Less

Fire Department

Contact Us

Fire Department

307 S. Randolph St.
Champaign IL, 61820

217-403-7200

217-403-7213 (fax)

[email protected]