Our 1930 Chevrolet Engine now as a new trailer to be transported in. Just like the truck itself, the new trailer shows the hard work and pride of the department. Several of our retired members including retired Captain Bill Hamm and retired Engineer Jeff Mersinger worked tirelessly to make the trailer show ready. Details include the OFD logo on the stained wood floor, guiding stripes for proper truck loading, and a Chevrolet badge. The exterior is badged with an almost life-size photo of the truck and the departments identification; "O'Fallon Volunteer Fire Company No.1." Be on the lookout for this preserved piece of history and its new transport around town!

It's that time of year...join us in celebrating our 10th Annual Spring Golf Classic! Team slots fill up quickly so get your team together soon!
This year's tournament will be held Friday June 12th at Tamarack Country Club in Shiloh, Illinois. Your support is greatly appreciated as this event serves as our primary fundraising event. Entry fees are $300 per team and whole sponsorships are available at several levels: Chief Level $500, Deputy Chief Level $250 and Assistant Chief Level $100.  For more information about the tournament please contact Mr. Jim Hertzler at 618.624.4520 or by e-mail at jhertzler@ofallon.org

2008 turned out to be a rather busy year for the department. We logged 875 incidents! We would like to take the time to thank our top 10 responders.  The hard work and dedication these members exhibited is appreciated. Below are the top responders and their total calls:

Assistant Chief Craig Schmidt 804
Deputy Chief Brian Bailey 753
Firefighter Kevin Bachesta 536
Firefighter Rod Hamilton 521
Firefighter Brad White 503
Lieutenant Shawn Miller 470
Firefighter Brian Butler 463
Lieutenant Steve Donahue 454
Firefighter RJ Fechtler 451
Safety Officer Jason Bruns 411

We would like to congratulate Frank Shewmaker on his promotion to Captain and Steve Donahue on his promotion to Lieutenant. Both gentlemen received the best score in their respesctive categories. Testing was based on several areas including a written test as well an oral interview.

The weather as turned cold and the holiday decorations are going up.  According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) December and January are the peaks months for home fires nationwide.  The O'Fallon Fire Department is kicking off our annual "Keep the Wreath Red" campaign and encourages the entire community to participate.  This campaign emphasizes fire safety and serves as a visual reminder of the communities' success in preventing home fires.  We will be placing a large wreath  in front of Engine House # 2 (at the corner of Highway 50 & 3rd Street), if there are no holiday related fires, all the lights on the wreath will remain lit with red lights.  If a holiday related fire occurs we will replace a red light with a white light.  In order to assist the community we have prepared some information on how to stay safe.

FIREPLACES:  Before starting a fire, be sure to remove all decorations from the immediate area and ensure the flu is open.  Avoid prolonged firing as this could lead to over-firing. Over firing can ignite the structure through overheated hearth or fireplace walls where the mortar has become dried and dropped out due to excessive heat. Never use flammable liquids to light the fire and always keeps the firebox area clean of ashes and embers . When you do clear out old ashes and embers please make sure they are completely cooled before you discard them. Also avoid burning garbage, dried decorations & wrapping paper as these burn with a very hot flame and may ignite accumulated creosote or cause damage to the chimney itself.   It is very important to have your chimney cleaned by a certified chimney sweep.

CANDLES: The use of candles during the Holiday Season has increased drastically over the years. When using candles, always make sure that the candles are not close to combustible materials (such as curtains and other decorations). Make sure all of the candles are snuffed out before retiring or leaving your house.

LIGHTS: Christmas tree lights and other decorations set the theme for the Holidays. Here are some important points to remember when using them. Use only lights that have been tested for safety. Identify these by a label from a listing agency, such as UL. Check the labels on lights to be used outdoors to see that they are suitable for outdoor use. Never use indoor lights outside. Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, walls or other firm support to protect them from wind damage. Never use more than the listed amount of light sets per extension cord. Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully, and do not use more than the number of light sets recommended in one circuit. Always turn off lights when you retire for the evening or leave your home. A short circuit in any electrical equipment could cause a fire.

TREES: Artificial trees (plastic) should bear a listing label; some unlabeled plastic trees burn with extreme intensity. Do not rely on chemical coatings or sprays to make your live trees flame resistant. Follow these safety rules when shopping for a natural tree: A fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard than a dry tree. To check for freshness, check for color and scent. Also, feel the needles; they shouldn't come off in your hand. A fresh tree is deep green in color and has a strong scent of pine. The trunk butt of a fresh tree should be sticky with sap. After you get the tree home, cut a half-inch off the trunk and keep plenty of water in the stand. Place your Christmas tree in a location away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Be sure that it is out of the traffic pattern and primary evacuation route in case of an emergency.
 
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact the fire department at 624-4520.

On Friday December 5th at approximately 10:30 A.M. the O'Fallon Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a house fire on East Washington Street. Chief Saunders and Deputy Chief Bailey quickly arrived on scene to address the situation and called for mutual aid from Fairview, Lebanon and Scott Air Force Base.  4319 was first on scene followed by 4329, 4321 and 4310. Crews initiated attacks from the basement, first floor and roof.  4319 was able to gain control of the fire from above and ground crews assisted to halt the fire.  No firefighters or residents were injured.

Retired Chief Tom Bleau passed away Wednesday November 19th, he was 75.  Chief Bleau served on the department for 23 years, holding the role of Chief for 4 years. His dedication to the community and to the department will not be forgotten. Funeral arrangements are as follows:




Visitation: Sunday November 23

3 - 7 p.m. at Schildknecht Funeral Home

 

Funeral: Monday November 24th

11a.m.  at Schildknecht Funeral Home

Monsignor William Hitpas will officiate.

Burial will be at O’Fallon City Cemetery.

 

Members of the O'Fallon Fire Department will conduct a ceremony at 6 p.m. Sunday evening to Honor Chief Bleau.

On Friday October 10th 2008 around 07:00 the O'Fallon Fire Department  responded to a house fire call on Schwarz Meadow Drive. Engines 4314 and 4321 arrived on scene and began the attack.  Ladder truck 4329 also aided in command and attack. The Fairview and Lebanon Fire Departments were also called to assist in battling the blaze.  The house occupants and pets escaped without harm and no fire fighters were injured.

Bob Lillie, a retired O'Fallon Firefighter passed away this Monday, October 13th. Even after 15+ years of service as a firefighter, he was very active with the department and in the community. He will be remembered as a hard working, dedicated and friendly guy whom we were honored to have in our lives. 
Information on the visitation and funeral is as follows:

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill., and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at O'Fallon United Church of Christ, 206 W. Adams St., O'Fallon, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at O'Fallon United Church of Christ in O'Fallon, Ill., with the Rev. Dr. Martha Thierheimer officiating. Interment will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville, Ill. Following the graveside service, a luncheon will be served at the O'Fallon United Church of Christ.

Mr. Lillie's full obituary:

Robert Lee Lillie, 81, of O'Fallon, Ill., born Nov. 2, 1926, in O'Fallon, Ill., passed away Monday, Oct. 13, 2008, at his home after a battle with prostate cancer.
A lifelong resident of O'Fallon, Bob retired in 1986 from the US Postal Service, where he worked as an O'Fallon letter carrier for 27 years. He was a 50-year member of the American Legion Fischer-Solis Post 137 and served the O'Fallon community as a volunteer fireman for 16 years. Mr. Lillie served on the O'Fallon Township High School Board of Education from 1966-97. He was a past city alderman, township trustee and treasurer for the O'Fallon Homecoming committee. Bob was also a member of A.F. & A.M. Lodge 576 for 55 years and a life member of Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Southern Illinois, Ainad Shrine Temple and Ainad Roadrunners. He was a life member of Ainad Color Guard, serving as past president, marching in many parades over the years, and Dania Shrine Club. Bob was a lifelong member of O'Fallon United Church of Christ, where he served on the consistory. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the US Army. His favorite things included playing cards, spending time with his family and the mornings that he spent at Engine House 2 with his fellow retired O'Fallon firemen. He was a faithful supporter of O'Fallon's Panther Band and was an OTHS sports fanatic. Bob was a friendly, well-liked gentleman and will be missed by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean, nee Dauber, Lillie whom he married Nov. 16, 1949, and who passed away Aug. 8, 1984; his parents, Robert and Josephine, nee Bernhardt, Lillie; grandson, Robert Zanfes; brother, DeWayne (Chris) Lillie; and brother-in-law, James Bond.
Surviving are his wife, Janice, nee Libell, formerly Meyer, Lillie whom he married March 1, 1986; daughters, Debra Shelton of Freeburg, Ill., Pamela Zanfes of O'Fallon, Ill., and Maureen (Dennis) Blumberg of O'Fallon, Ill.; step-son, Jeff Meyer (fiance Ronda Billington) of Bingham, Ill.; step-daughter, Sally (Keith) Zeisset of Waterloo, Ill.; grandchildren, Jaime (Mark) Little, Kristin (Patrick) Jackson, Adam Swedo, Emily Zanfes, Jennifer Zanfes, Sara Blumberg, Scott Blumberg, Sean Blumberg, Josh (Charis) Meyer, Haley Meyer, Megan Meyer, Maggie Zeisset, Will Zeisset and Mollie Zeisset; great-grandsons, Tanner and Trenton Little and Connor Jackson, and a great-grandson, due any day; and sister, Eunice Bond of McDonough, Ga.; three brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law.
Memorial donations may be made to O'Fallon United Church of Christ Scholarship Fund or Family Hospice and will be accepted at the funeral home. Visit www.wfh-ofallon.com to sign the online guest book.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008, at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill., and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at O'Fallon United Church of Christ, 206 W. Adams St., O'Fallon, Ill. The O'Fallon Fire Department will conduct a walk-through at 6:30 p.m. Thursday night followed by a Masonic Service at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral: Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at O'Fallon United Church of Christ in O'Fallon, Ill., with the Rev. Dr. Martha Thierheimer officiating. Interment will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville, Ill. Following the graveside service, a luncheon will be served at the O'Fallon United Church of Christ.

WOLFERSBERGER FUNERAL HOME, O'Fallon, Ill.

How safe is your household?

Use this checklist to find out if

you are taking the right steps

to protect your family:

Count Your Smoke Alarms

Be sure there is at least one smoke alarm installed on every level of your home, including one in every bedroom and outside of each sleeping area.

Change Your Smoke Alarm and

Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries

It only takes a moment, but this simple habit is the best defense your family has against the devastating effects of a home fire or accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. The IAFC and fire experts nationwide encourage people to change smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries at least annually. An easy way to remember to do so is to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when you change your clocks back to standard time on November 2.

Check Your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

After inserting a fresh battery in each smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector, push the safety test button to make sure alarms are in proper working condition. Never disconnect your smoke alarm battery!

Remember that a “chirping” alarm is a signal that it needs a fresh battery.

Clean Your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Ensure your smoke alarms’ and carbon monoxide detectors’ sensitivity by cleaning them each month of dust and cobwebs.

Replace Your Smoke Alarms

Install brand new smoke alarms every ten years.

Change Your Flashlight Batteries

Keep flashlights with fresh batteries at your bedside for help in finding the way out and signaling for help in the event of a fire.

Install Fire Extinguishers

Install a fire extinguisher in or near your kitchen, and be sure that every family member knows how to use it.

Get the Whole Family Involved

Once smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and have fresh batteries, you should also make sure family members — children in particular — know what the alarms and detectors sound like and what to do should the alarms ever sound.

Making a Change

Change Your Clock Change Your Battery

® , the national campaign championed by Energizer® batteries and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), is celebrating its 21st year and is now part of the new year-long family preparedness program Keep Safe. Keep Going®. The program helps save lives through home safety education and one simple, yet powerful message: change batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when turning clocks back in the fall.Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® program reaches hundreds of millions of Americans each year, thanks to the help of more than 6,000 participating fire departments nationwide. ® November 2!

“Change Your Clock Change Your Battery”

program created by Energizer and the

International Association of Fire Chiefs.

Energizer, Energizer Bunny design,

Your Clock Change Your Battery”

marks are trademarks of Energizer.

©2008 Energizer

“Changeand other The



Change Your Clock Change Your Battery



Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® Simple Changes That

Could Save Your Life



November 2!