FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY
1980 - 1992
In 1981 the District purchased it's first Chief's car, a Ford Fairmont station wagon with the designation of M-1.
On September 13, 1982, the department battled a fire at Our Place Tavern located at the northeast corner of LaPorte and Wolf Roads for three hours. The early morning fire required assistance from several neighboring towns. The fire was later ruled arson.
Our Place Tavern Fire 9-13-82
In April of 1983, the District took delivery of a Pierce 1,250 gpm engine with a 750 gallon water tank on a Ford cab-over crew cab chassis. This was the first engine in which firefighters no longer rode the back step of the engine. This engine remained in service until 1988 when it was sold to Charlotte Fire Department in Iowa.
1983 Pierce/Ford 1,250 gpm pump with 750 gallon water tank
In September of 1983, the District took delivery of another Pierce 1,250 gpm engine but with a 1,000 gallon water tank on a Ford cab-over crew cab chassis. This unit remained in service until 2005 when it was sold to the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department in Vermont.
1983 Pierce/Ford 1,250 gpm pump with a 1,000 gallon water tank
In March of 1984, the Insurance Service Office (I.S.O.) awarded the District with a Class 7 fire rating for the rural area and a Class 5 for the Village of Mokena. The Mokena Fire District was the first in the State of Illinois to receive the Class 7 rating for rural areas.
On August 22, 1984, a fire occurred in the middle of the night at 10719 Green Meadow Lane in a three story, 12 unit apartment building. Firefighters rescued 12 people using ground ladders and rescued one person as a result of an interior search. The only serious injury was to an occupant who jumped from a second floor balcony breaking a bone.
In 1985 the District purchased a Ford Econline van for the purpose of a fire prevention vehicle and carry-all. This unit in 1988 was converted into a backup ambulance. This unit remained in service until 1994 when it was donated to the Mokena Emergency Services and Disaster Agency.
1985 Ford Econline Van Ambulance
In November 1987 a referendum was passed by the voters to create an ambulance service for the fire district. In June of 1988, the District started with six full-time firefighter/paramedics working 24/48 hour shifts.
Also in 1988, the District took delivery of its first modular ambulance. It was a Road Rescue on a Ford E chassis. This ambulance replaced the 1975 rescue truck. This unit remained in service until 1996 when it was replaced and sold to Amoco Refinery in the United Arab Emirates in the Persian Gulf.
1988 Road Rescue Ford Ambulance
In October of 1988 during the Department's Fire Prevention Open House, the marquee display sign in front of the Front Street Fire Station was dedicated in the memory of Kenneth Warning who served the department for over 40 years. The marquee sign was later relocated to Fire Station #2 located on 191st Street.
On December 18, 1988 the District responded to a house fire at 19800 88th Avenue. Prior to our arrival, Richard Bass, who was working next door to the house on fire, heroically rescued a 1 1/2 year old boy from the house that had fire through-out the entire structure. The boy, who was burned over 50 percent of his body, recovered from his injuries.
In 1989 a Chevy Impala station wagon was purchased as a new Chief's car, replacing the 1981 Ford Fairmont station wagon.
1989 Chevy Impala
In 1989 the District purchased a Ford pickup truck for fighting grass fires and general utility work. This unit remained in service until 2000 when it was donated to the Mokena Emergency Services and Disaster Agency.
1989 Ford Grass Fire Truck
In May of 1990, the Department's only dog, a Dalmatian named Patch, was donated to the District. Tragically, Patch was only with us for a short time.
In August of 1990, the District took delivery of a Pierce Tele-Squirt. It had a 50 foot ladder with a 1,500 gpm pump and 500 gallon water tank. This unit had a fully enclosed crew cab capable of seating six firefighters. This unit remained in service until May of 2008 when it was sold to St. Germaine Fire Department in Wisconsin.
1990 Pierce 50 foot Tele-Squirt 1,500 gpm pump and 500 gallon tank
The department responded to Plainfield on August 28th, 1990, to assist with search and rescue and transportation of injured citizens as a result of a devastating F5 tornado that killed 29 people and injured 353. The ambulance transported several injured patients to the hospital while the heavy rescue and chief responded to the Plainfield High School for search and rescue.
On September 1, 1991, Chief Delbert Yunker retired due to health reasons after serving as the District's Fire Chief for 12 years.
Ted Golden was appointed Chief in September of 1991.
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