FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY
1883 - 1992

                           

The earliest records of fire protection for the Village of Mokena go back to March 7, 1883 when according to newspaper articles Juilus Maris was appointed Fire Marshal. Receipts dated May 4, 1883 indicated the village purchased 75 feet of rubber fire hose, one 28 foot and one 24 foot ladder, two pike poles and two fire axes. When a fire was discovered, the townspeople turned out and fought it. Volunteers brought up the hose cart and hand pump. The hose cart and pump were on hand for many years before a regular Fire Department was organized. From information available, fires were fought on a catch as catch can basis prior to the organization of a regular Department.

Original Hose Cart pictured today

The first Fire Department was organized in 1917  with approximately 30 members. Officers of the Department included Fred C. Mau, Fire Marshal; C. Schenkel, Assistant Marshal; Elmer C. Sippel, Treasurer; and W. E. Washburn, Clerk.

In 1923, Herman Schweser was elected as the first Fire Chief.

Early in 1933, a used Model "A" Ford chassis previously used as a coal truck was purchased for $75.00.  By July 15, 1933, the Mokena Village fire engine was complete with chemicals and a pump, the latter being purchased by the Village at a cost of $373.00. The remaining cost of the 1929 Model "A" Fire Engine, totaling $650.00, was paid for by the firemen and the truck was donated by them to the Village. The department restored the antique engine in the 1980's and still has it today and proudly drives it in parades.

1929 Ford Model A fire engine with a Darley front mount pump.
Pictured Lt. to Rt. Chief Herman Schwesser and Barney Hostert

The first fire station was located on Front Street.  The building still exist today and is currently the home of the Mokena Emergency Services and Disaster Agency.

 

Original Fire Station located at 10940 Front Street circa 1938
 (photo courtesy Robert Horras Family Historical Collection)

In 1945, a new piece of equipment, an engine, was purchased for a cash price of $4,967.00 from Central Fire Truck Corporation out of St. Louis, Missouri.  This 1945 Ford Fire Engine had a 500 gpm fire pump and carried 500 gallons of water. This unit was delivered in February of 1946 and given the designation of #2. This unit served the District until it was retired in 1977.

1945 Ford Fire Engine built by Central Fire Truck Corporation

In 1946, Barney Hostert was elected Fire Chief

On September 23, 1956, disaster in the form of two fires hit the town. Kreml's Tavern caught on fire, and shortly thereafter, the Shopping Bag fire started. All surrounding towns furnished equipment and fought the fire throughout the night. A local citizen aiding the firemen was overcome by smoke. This experience increased the need for an inhalator unit immediately. A sign and a fire pail for donations placed at the scene, netted $324.00 in contributions in one day. By October 11, 1956, the fund was $559.00, and the inhalator was ordered.

Shopping Bag Fire Sept. 23, 1956 Note collection bucket on sign pole.

Also in 1956 Arthur Hostert was elected Fire Chief

In August, 1957, truck #3, a tanker, was put in service. This unit was a used 800 gallon tanker on a Chevy chassis. With the addition of #3, this meant that one truck had to stand outside all the time.

1957 Chevy 800 gallon water tanker in front of original fire station on Front Street (now serves as the ESDA building). Lt to Rt: Charles Swanberg, Fire Chief Art Hostert, Jim Marti.

The need for a new fire house was becoming more apparent with the increased population in the town and the surrounding area. In October, 1958, a planning committee was formed and the site of the new fire house to be built on Front Street was decided on.

Ground breaking for new fire station on Front Street.  Lt. to Rt.:  Nick Wieler, Marti Medema, Fire Chief Art Hostert, Walter Muehler, Eric Book, Fred Clark, Stan Williams, Walter Kopps, Jim Marti

In 1959 Carol Roberts was elected Fire Chief.

On July 19, 1962, an election was held, and the creation of the Fire Protection District was passed almost unanimously. The first officers were Harold Cooper, President; Ray Bernard, Secretary; and Roy Kohl, Treasurer.

Also in 1962, Robert Rust was elected Fire Chief. 

On December 6, 1963 a fire at Ordmans Park and Shop occurred with an estimated fire loss of $185,000.  This was the same site of the Shopping Bag fire in 1953.

 

Ordman's Park and Shop Fire

 

The Department took delivery of a new engine in February of 1964. It was a 1964 John Bean Ford Cab-Over that carried 750 gallons of water and had a 750 gallon per minute fire pump along with a 30 gpm John Bean High Pressure pump. This unit was sold in 1983 to Alexander Fire Department in Illinios.

1964 Ford John Bean engine in front of new fire station on Front Street.  Lt. to Rt: Ken Bockman, Fred Clark, Chief Robert Rust

 

In 1967 the District took delivery of a new carry-all with the designation of #7.  This Unit was a Ford Econoline Van.

 

1967 Ford Econoline Carry-All

 

The District took delivery of a new engine #8 in 1968 . It was a 1968 John Bean Ford Cab-Over that carried 1000 gallons of water and had a 1000 gallon per minute fire pump along with a 30 gpm John Bean High Pressure pump. This engine was sold in 1983 to Somonauk Fire Department in Illinios.

 

1968 Ford John Bean Engine. 
Standing on pumper is Fire Chief Robert Rust

 

Fire Station and Apparatus circa 1970. 

On August 27^th, 1971, Chief Robert Rust passed away at the age of 37.  A full fire department funeral was given to Chief Robert Rust which included a procession from St. Johns United Church of Christ to St. Johns Cemetery located on Wolf Road.

Funeral Procession as it passes Front Street Fire Station

Frederick Rauch was elected Fire Chief in 1971.

Also in 1971 the District took delivery of a 1972 Ford Econoline Van that was used as an inhalator unit and carry-all. This unit was retired in 1985.

1971 Ford Econoline Carry-All

In 1972, the District purchased the property immediately west of the fire house for expansion. In December, 1972, ground was broken for a much needed addition, which included three apparatus bays, radio room, kitchen, Chief's office, day room, rest rooms, conference room, air room, and maintenance shop. The District and firemen proudly showed off their new "home" during an Open House in June, 1973, attended by almost 1,000 interested public minded citizens. Anyone present that day could not help being touched by the solemn dedication of the memorial flag pole and marker in memory of Robert G. Rust, who served as Chief of the Department from 1962 to the time of his death in August, 1971.

Front Street Fire Station after addition in 1973

In July of 1974 the District purchased a four-wheel drive Pierce mini-pumper on a Dodge chassis.  The apparatus had a 240 gpm pump and roll fire pump and carried 250 gallons of water. The main purpose of this vehicle was for rapid response and grass fires. This vehicle served the District until 1988 when it was sold to Salina Volunteer Fire Department in Illinois.

1974 Pierce Dodge Mini-Pumper

On October 10th, 1974 the District responded to a fire at Dunham's Hardware Store which was located at the corner of Front and Division Streets.  The building was over 120 years old and over the years had served as a hardware store, post office, supermarket, church, and had apartments on the second floor. Mutual aid from several neighboring departments responded to assist in fighting the blaze.

Dunham's Hardware Fire 10-10-74

In 1975 a Pierce rescue squad was designed and ordered for the specific purpose as a rescue truck to respond to emergency medical calls and car accidents.  This unit was a 1975 Ford F series pickup chassis with a Pierce rescue box.  This unit was featured on the front cover of a Pierce sales brochure for small rescue trucks. This unit served the District until 1988 when the District purchased it's first ambulance.

1975 Ford Pierce Rescue Truck

To make room for the 1975 Rescue Truck, the 1957 Chevy tanker was retired after faithfully serving the District for many years.

In 1976, the District took delivery and placed into service 32 Motorola Page Boy receivers.  This was a definite communication improvement, allowing all volunteer firefighters to carry radio alerting equipment for the first time. Prior to this purchase, each volunteer firefighter had a Plextron Receiver in their home for alerting purposes or they relied on the fire siren to sound to be alerted when not at home.

In 1977, the District took delivery of a new Ford/Pierce Engine.  This apparatus was on a Ford Cab-over chassis and was also the Districts first apparatus to have a diesel engine.  The unit had a 1,000 gpm fire pump and carried 750 gallons of water.  This apparatus served the District until 1990 and was sold to Twin Lakes Thunder Bridge Fire District in Wisconsin.

1977 Ford/Pierce Engine

To make room for the new Pierce Engine, Old Number Two, the 1945 Ford/Central States engine was retired and sold.

In 1979, the District took delivery of a Ford/Super Vac Heavy Rescue/Light Plant.  This unit was built with a galvanized body and had two light towers that rotated 360 degrees.  It was the first unit with a light tower to be purchased in the area. This vehicle was refurbished in 1987 and was retired in 2001 and sold to Venango, Nebraska.

1979 Ford/Super Vac Heavy Rescue

Fire Chief Fred Rauch retired on May 11, 1979 after serving eight years as Chief. 

Delbert Yunker was appointed Chief on June 13, 1979.  Chief Yunker would become Mokena Fire District's first full-time paid Fire Chief in June of 1980.

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.) award 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 heavily involved house.  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.