Recently, I stumbled upon an interesting story on kmov.com that takes us back to the roots of firefighting in Illinois. It all started in 1736 when Benjamin Franklin established the Union Fire Company. Fast forward to 1871, another Union Fire Company was set up in Centreville, Illinois, boasting 32 members. However, things got a little muddled when another town just ten miles south of Centreville decided to call itself Centreville too. This mix-up persisted for nearly half a century until the southern Centreville realized they needed a change. In 1890, they renamed themselves Millstadt, and the Centreville Fire Department transformed into the Millstadt Union Fire Company. Millstadt, a town steeped in history and rich with German heritage, has consistently maintained its fire department despite numerous changes over the years. Today, the Union Fire Company of Millstadt proudly holds the title of being the oldest continuous volunteer fire department in Illinois. Back in the day, operations relied on hand-operated pumps that the firefighters would pull towards the fire scene, along with hose reels on wheels and leather buckets. Their responsibilities extended beyond extinguishing flames—they tackled a variety of emergencies. Currently, Millstadt Fire Chief Kurt Pellman leads a team of 32 active volunteers, including his son. Modern technology like pagers now assists in alerting the crew during emergencies. However, in the earlier days, the system was quite different. “We used to sound the town sirens three times for a fire,†Pellman reminisced. “A fourth blast meant everyone had to gather.†One of the longstanding members is Ralph Schaefer, whose great-grandfather moved to the area in the 1870s. Robert Stumpf’s family emigrated from Germany in the 1840s, and he has been serving the fire department since 1956, even holding the position of fire chief at one point. Butch Hettenhausen’s family settled in the region in the mid-1800s, and he has dedicated much of his life to volunteering. “Older trucks had boots in them,†Pellman recalled. “You hoped you’d get the last pair. Safety gear was non-existent; no one had heard of breathing apparatuses.†“We had two boots and three coats,†Stumpf recalled. “We pretty much charged in unprotected.†Covering an expansive area of 96 square miles, the Union Fire Department serves a vast stretch of rural southern Illinois. The community has always shown immense support for the fire department, fostering a strong sense of unity in Millstadt. Over the years, the dedication of these firefighters has been unwavering. Those who missed community events were fined 50 cents, and attending funerals was considered mandatory. For more detailed information and photos, check out the full article by clicking the link above. It's fascinating to see how far firefighting has come while honoring those who paved the way for modern emergency services. liquid silicone product mold machine ,Molding inejction machine,silicone moulding machine ,Liquid Silicone measuring Machine Guangzhou S-guangyu Machinery &Equipment Co.,Ltd , https://www.lsrexpert-better.com