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Message from the Chief

Mission and Vision

History of SFPD

Department Roster

Board of Directors

Proudly Serving for over 80 years

• Prior to February 2, 1923 the City of Staunton, IL was protected by citizens who were willing to respond to City Hall and pull the hose cart to the scene of the fire, at the time there was no designated leader
• On February 2, 1923 by the vote of Mayor Paul D. Weiss, the Staunton Volunteer Fire Department was formed, Tony Safko was appointed the first chief of the department. Initially 20 members signed up to volunteer their time.
• In 1977 it was determined that the existing tax system would not keep up with the growing demands of the fire deparment. During March 1978, the voters of the City of Staunton and surrounding areas voted for creation of the Staunton Fire Protection District. Also during this time the Staunton Area Ambulance Service was formed.
• In 1984 the fire department created an agreement with the City of Staunton to add three bays onto the fire station to meet the expanding needs of the department.
• During Chief Kolvich's tenture, 1987 - 1989, the department expanded training and rescue operations programs, developed the department's first public education program, and started the Junior Firefighther program.
• August 7, 1994 - Staunon Fire and 13 surrounding departments reponded and battled a large fire at the Staunton High School.
• 2001 - Chief Haase honored as the Illinois Volunteer Fire Chief of the year by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association.
• During 2002, the Fire Protection District began design and construction of a new fire station.
• May 4, 2003 - The new fire station was dedicated.

Today the Staunton Fire Protection District continues its long tradition of volunteer service to the citizens we protect. You can call it a sense of commitment to the community, whatever the reason the members of the

Staunton Fire Protection District

will provide the best fire and rescue service.

Past Fire Chiefs

1. T. Safko 1923 - 1929, 1935
2. E. Rahm 1929 - 1934
3. H. Kuehnen 1936 - 1951, 1954 - 1955
4. R. Vehger 1952 - 1953
5. G. Costa 1956 - 1960
6. C. Stemploski 1961 - 1974
7. L. Lovejoy 1975 - 1986
8. T. Kolkovich 1987 - 1989
9. R. Dustman 1990 - 1993
10. D. Mayfield 1994 - 1996
11. R. Haase 1997 - present 

Timeline of vehicle acquistion

1923 REO Fire Engine, retired 1935

1936 Diamond T fire apparatus, retired 1959

1954 GMC fire apparatus, retired 1977

1959 Dodge fire apparatus, retired 2000

1972 Chevrolet step van, for carrying equipment and personnel, retired 1994

1975, purchased a 1972 Ford F-700 with a 2200gal water tank, retired 1986

1977 FMC pumper with 1000gpm pump and 750 gal tank, retired 2007

1986 Pierce pumper with 1000gpm pump, 750gal tank, and 1000gpm deck gun

1986 Marion tanker with a 2200gal water tank

1994 Road Rescue aparatus

2000 Pierce Pumper/Tanker with 1500gpm pump and a 1500gal water tank

2001 - accured 1991 GMC four-wheel drive chasis converted into a brush truck

2004 Special Operations Trailer

2007 Pierce rescue pumper with 2000gpm pump and 1000gal water tank

2008, a 2006 Polaris six wheel drive ATV was recived through a grant from U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Coporation