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.

1st ANNUAL SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
to benefit THE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION (MBA)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2009 at 4:00PM
THREE SPRINGS BALLPARK (SHILOH, IL)

Join the O'Fallon Fire Department in conjunction with Fairview, Lebanon, Scott Air Force Base, & Troy Fire Departments to support The Muscular Dystrophy Association!  Enjoy hot dogs, burgers, brats, soda and watch your local firefighters battle it out on the softball field. Admission is free and all donations will benefit children & adults living with one of 43 neuromuscular diseases in St.Clair County!

For more information please contact Firefighter Brian Butler @ 618.410.8841 or via e-mail OFallonFD31@yahoo.com.

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