History of the PFPD
This website was created and maintained by Scott Vrabel
Copyright © 2011 Peotone Fire Protection District
Last modified May 2011
Copyright © 2011 Peotone Fire Protection District
Last modified May 2011
Ever Willing, Ever Ready
The Peotone Fire Protection District has rich history in the fire service. Here are just some of the many notable events from the past.
1881: The Village of Peotone purchased its 1st Fire engine and the Departments first drill was held on April 15, 1881 under the command of Captain John Fedde.
1900: Hose Carts Purchased.
1910: First Fire Station Built.
1910: Henry Kurtz Chief
1912: New fire station by water tower built.
1912: Peotone Vol. Fire Dept. Established.
1912: Elmer Kurtz Chief
1924: New Village Hall and Fire Station Built.
1924: Model T Fire Truck purchased. Ford with chemical tanks.
1935: First Pumper purchased, a 1935 REO, which is still owned by the Department.
1940: Turkey Raffle started
1940: Rural Fire District formed, and another 500 GPM pumper purchased.
1952: Addition to Fire Station Built.
1953: Tanker purchased that could carry 1,000 gallons of water.
1953: Peotone Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary formed.
1956: Fire Hall built by the Vol. Firefighters.
1961: Village of Peotone purchases new Chevy/ Seagrave 750 G.P.M. Pumper.
1964: Rural Fire District Purchases Front mount Chevy/ Darley Pumper 500 G.P.M.
1966: Second Fire Station Built at railroad and north.
1968: Walk in van purchased as a equipment truck.
1971: Village and Rural Dist. Purchase a new 1250 G.P.M. Ford/ Pierce Pumper.
1972: Ford van purchased for Inhalator Calls.
1975: 1st operational paramedics in Will County, purchased Departments first ambulance.
1976: Village and Rural Dist. Purchase new GMC/ E-One Rescue Truck 250 G.P.M.
1976: Second ambulance purchased.
1977: New Tanker purchased Chevy 2000 Gal.
May 1, 1978: Peotone Fire Protection District Established
Aug. 14, 1978: The Peotone Fire Protection District accepted the Peotone Fire Department as the organization to:
· Protect the residents of the district from fire.
· Promote fire protection and prevention throughout the district.
· Provide Emergency Medical Services to the residents of the District.
1980: New ambulance by Ford/ Horton purchased
1983: First Full Time Chief.
1983: New Pierce Diesel Pumper 1250 G.P.M. Pierce Dash
1985: 911 system activated.
1986: New ambulance purchased.
1992: Ground breaking for the new fire station.
1992: Joined M.A.B.A.S.
1993: New station dedicated to memory of Trustee Gerald Borchardt.
2002: Federal Grant received for Training and Training Tower.
2002: Established ALS Engine.
2002: Referendum passed placing part-time personnel in the station 24/7
2004: Federal grant for Hose, Nozzles, Fittings, and equipment.
2004: Department receives an ISO rating of 4 in the village and 8b in the rural area.
2005: Three personnel and Aerial Ladder deployed to New Orleans for help in response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
2005: Fourth person added to the part-time shift.
2006: Celebrated 125th Anniversary.
2006: New American LaFrance 1500 G.P.M. rescue pumper purchased.
2006: New extrication equipment purchased.
2006: Federal grant for bunker gear and a gear washer.
2007: Used 2002 American LaFrance 110’ aerial ladder purchased from California.
2007: Vol. Duty shift added to staffing.
2009: New Ford/ Horton Ambulance Purchased.
2009: New Sutphen rescue Pumper purchased 1500 G.P.M. with the assistance of the State of Illinois 0% interest Fire Truck Loan Program.
2009: New Rescue Boat Purchased
1881: The Village of Peotone purchased its 1st Fire engine and the Departments first drill was held on April 15, 1881 under the command of Captain John Fedde.
1900: Hose Carts Purchased.
1910: First Fire Station Built.
1910: Henry Kurtz Chief
1912: New fire station by water tower built.
1912: Peotone Vol. Fire Dept. Established.
1912: Elmer Kurtz Chief
1924: New Village Hall and Fire Station Built.
1924: Model T Fire Truck purchased. Ford with chemical tanks.
1935: First Pumper purchased, a 1935 REO, which is still owned by the Department.
1940: Turkey Raffle started
1940: Rural Fire District formed, and another 500 GPM pumper purchased.
1952: Addition to Fire Station Built.
1953: Tanker purchased that could carry 1,000 gallons of water.
1953: Peotone Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary formed.
1956: Fire Hall built by the Vol. Firefighters.
1961: Village of Peotone purchases new Chevy/ Seagrave 750 G.P.M. Pumper.
1964: Rural Fire District Purchases Front mount Chevy/ Darley Pumper 500 G.P.M.
1966: Second Fire Station Built at railroad and north.
1968: Walk in van purchased as a equipment truck.
1971: Village and Rural Dist. Purchase a new 1250 G.P.M. Ford/ Pierce Pumper.
1972: Ford van purchased for Inhalator Calls.
1975: 1st operational paramedics in Will County, purchased Departments first ambulance.
1976: Village and Rural Dist. Purchase new GMC/ E-One Rescue Truck 250 G.P.M.
1976: Second ambulance purchased.
1977: New Tanker purchased Chevy 2000 Gal.
May 1, 1978: Peotone Fire Protection District Established
Aug. 14, 1978: The Peotone Fire Protection District accepted the Peotone Fire Department as the organization to:
· Protect the residents of the district from fire.
· Promote fire protection and prevention throughout the district.
· Provide Emergency Medical Services to the residents of the District.
1980: New ambulance by Ford/ Horton purchased
1983: First Full Time Chief.
1983: New Pierce Diesel Pumper 1250 G.P.M. Pierce Dash
1985: 911 system activated.
1986: New ambulance purchased.
1992: Ground breaking for the new fire station.
1992: Joined M.A.B.A.S.
1993: New station dedicated to memory of Trustee Gerald Borchardt.
2002: Federal Grant received for Training and Training Tower.
2002: Established ALS Engine.
2002: Referendum passed placing part-time personnel in the station 24/7
2004: Federal grant for Hose, Nozzles, Fittings, and equipment.
2004: Department receives an ISO rating of 4 in the village and 8b in the rural area.
2005: Three personnel and Aerial Ladder deployed to New Orleans for help in response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
2005: Fourth person added to the part-time shift.
2006: Celebrated 125th Anniversary.
2006: New American LaFrance 1500 G.P.M. rescue pumper purchased.
2006: New extrication equipment purchased.
2006: Federal grant for bunker gear and a gear washer.
2007: Used 2002 American LaFrance 110’ aerial ladder purchased from California.
2007: Vol. Duty shift added to staffing.
2009: New Ford/ Horton Ambulance Purchased.
2009: New Sutphen rescue Pumper purchased 1500 G.P.M. with the assistance of the State of Illinois 0% interest Fire Truck Loan Program.
2009: New Rescue Boat Purchased