Excerpts from kmov.com: The story of the Union Fire Company began in 1736, when Benjamin Franklin established one of the first volunteer fire departments in the United States. Fast forward to 1871, and a new chapter was written in Centreville, Illinois, where a local group formed the Union Fire Company with 32 members. What makes this story unique is that just 10 miles south of Centreville, another town also called Centreville existed. This created some confusion over time, but it wasn’t until 1890 that the southern town realized they needed a different name. They changed their name to Millstadt, and the original Centreville Fire Department became known as the Millstadt Union Fire Company. Millstadt, a small town with deep German roots, has always been a place of tradition and community spirit. While many fire departments came and went over the years, Millstadt’s remained steadfast. Today, the Millstadt Union Fire Company stands as the oldest continuously operating volunteer fire department in the state of Illinois. In its early days, the department relied on hand-pumped fire engines, wheeled hose reels, and leather buckets. Their equipment was basic, and their response was swift—often involving more than just fires. The men would race to the scene, pulling their gear through the streets, ready for any emergency. Today, the department is led by Fire Chief Kurt Pellman, who oversees 32 active volunteers, including his own son. Technology has evolved; instead of town sirens, they now use pagers to alert the team. But back in the day, communication was much simpler. “We’d blow the siren three times for a fire,†Pellman said. “If it went off a fourth time, everyone knew to come in.†Among the dedicated members are veterans like Ralph Schaefer, whose great-grandfather arrived in the 1870s, and Robert Stumpf, whose family has been in Millstadt since the 1840s. Stumpf has served with the department since 1956, even holding the position of fire chief at one point. Butch Hettenhausen’s family has been part of the town since the mid-1800s, and he’s spent his entire life volunteering. “Back then, our only protection was raincoats,†Pellman recalled. “We had two boots and three coats, and we didn’t even have breathing apparatuses.†Stumpf added, “We pretty much went in without any real protection. It was all about courage and teamwork.†The Millstadt Fire Department serves a large area of rural southern Illinois, covering 96 square miles. Their success has always been rooted in the strong support of the local community. Despite changes over the years, the town has remained close-knit, and the firefighters have always been there when needed. Through decades of service, countless fires, and generations of volunteers, what has endured is the spirit of the people behind the badge. In the past, firefighters who missed a community event were fined 50 cents, and missing a funeral procession was simply not an option. That kind of commitment is still alive today, keeping the legacy of the Union Fire Company strong. Click on the link above for photos and the full article. Holographic Decorative Tape,Laser Tape,Decorative Tape,Reflective Color Tape Dongguan Guanhong Packing Industry Co., Ltd. , https://www.tapegh.com