The O’Fallon Fire Department will be participating in the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association’s softball tournament on Saturday August 14, 2010. The event is being hosted this year by the Fairview Fire Department at Three Springs Park in Shiloh, and will include a total of six fire departments. The day will kick off at noon and will end when all the softball games are complete.   There will be an extrication demo in the parking lot at 2:00pm. Please come out and help your local fire departments support the Muscular Dystrophy Association and enjoy some great bar-b-que. 

We would like to extend a very big (but delayed) thank you to everyone who made our annual Spring Golf Classic a huge success. A thank you is always better late than never and while we've stayed busy responding to calls for service we want to take a moment to extend our gratitude for your generosity!
-Your O'Fallon Volunteer Firefighters!

Recently Chief Brent Saunders was recently honored with a National Firefighters Award from the VFW National Headquarters. It’s a nationwide competition based on service to the community, volunteer hours and performance of the individual as a firefighter ,or in this case a fire chief.  Only one National Firefighters Award is given out annually by the VFW National.
 

Congratulations on your award Chief!

Join us for the 11th Annual Spring Golf Classic!  Not only will you get to enjoy a fun time on the links, you'll also be supporting your Volunteer Fire Department! This event serves as our primary funding source and allows us to serve you with programs such as fire education for children, community service projects, activities to support MDA, and our medical oxygen program. 

Friday, June 11th 2010 at 11:00am
Tamarack Country Club
Shiloh, Illinois

There are numerous ways that you can assist, such as our tiered hole sponsorship levels, forming a team of four golfers, donating attendance prizes, or by purchasing raffle tickets!

Get your companies name out with a hole sponsorship to suit any budget!
- $500.00 (or more) – Chief Sponsor
- $250.00- $499.00 – Deputy Chief Sponsor
- $100.00 - $249.00 Assistance Chief Sponsor
--For more information about hole sponsorship please contact Firefighter Larry Mank at LMank@ofallon.org

Teams of 4 can take part in the 18 hole scramble and compete for prizes! Your team registration is $340.00 and includes:
-green fees & cart
-lunch at the turn
-dinner after the tournament
-refreshments
-attendance prizes
If you’re a solo golfer and would like to be assigned a team, registration is $85.00 and includes everything listed above.
--For more information about registering your team please contact Firefighter Frank Hautly at 618.830.9698 or FHautly@ofallon.org

Raffle tickets are only $1.00 each!
-- 1st Prize is $300.00
-- 2nd Prize is $200.00
-- 3rd Prize is $100.00
You can purchase tickets from any member!   

All donations are tax deductible!  Any questions should be directed to Firefighter Bill King (BKing@ofallon.org or 618.977.6997)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Join our O'Fallon Fire Explorers for a delicious spaghetti dinner! Come sit down and enjoy a homemade dinner at a great price! Tickets are only $7.00, or get two for $10.00!

Saturday March 13th, 2010  |  4:00pm - 7:00pm
O'Fallon Fire Department  Engine House #2 (Corner of Hwy 50 & 3rd Street)

All proceeds allow the Explorers to attend fire college at the Illinois Fire Service Institute. For more information on the Explorer program, please see the Explorers page. For tickets or questions please contact Rudi at  RudisOutdoorService@yahoo.com

Check out the new Incidents page to see a brief run down of the calls we have responded too. Updated weekly!

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.

 
Here are some tips to reduce exposure to carbon monoxide:
-Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
-Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
-Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
-Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
-Do not idle the car inside a garage.
 
More carbon monoxide information can be found at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html

In 2009 we responded to 921 incidents!  Each year we like to take a few moments to honor the exemplary dedication of our top call responders.  While each member of our team is important and integral to operations, these 10 deserve an extra pat on the back! Congratulations guys!

Assistant Chief Craig Schmidt - 847
Firefighter Brad White - 567
Firefighter R.J. Fechtler - 563
Lieutenant Steve Donahue - 558
Firefighter Robert Ates - 548
Firefighter Rod Hamilton - 507
Firefighter Dan Mersinger - 492
Deputy Chief Brian Bailey - 488
Firefighter Brian Butler - 475
Safety Officer Jason Bruns - 431

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the holiday season claims the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 or more, and cause over $990 million in damage.  There are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. 

- Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent.  The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks.  Remember to keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

- Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove.  Promptly discard it at a tree recycling center or a community drop off point.

- Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up.  Use lighting that has been approved by a testing laboratory.

-Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe.  Check the wires periodically to make sure they are not warm to the touch.

- Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in proper working condition. 

Stay fire smart!  Don't get burned.  That's this year’s fire prevention message.  Please join the O'Fallon Fire Department in celebrating Fire Prevention Week at our open house at Engine House #2 at the corner of Highway 50 and 3rd Street in O'Fallon on October 6, 7, and 8 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm each night.  During the Open House, visitors can tour fire trucks and the engine house as well as learn valuable fire prevention lessons. You may take a ride on our 1949 Mack fire truck, take a turn sliding down our fire pole, and learn valuable fire safety lessons in our smoke house.  We invite all to bring the whole family to learn about fire prevention as well as have a little fun.