Here’s an interesting piece I found on kmov.com: The tale begins back in 1736 when Benjamin Franklin established the Union Fire Company. Fast forward to 1871, another Union Fire Company sprang up in Centreville, Illinois, boasting 32 members. But here’s where things get a little muddled—there was another town called Centreville located just ten miles south of the original one. For nearly five decades, folks in the southern Centreville didn’t realize there was an issue until they finally decided to rename themselves Millstadt in 1890. Over time, the Centreville Fire Department transformed into what we now know as the Millstadt Union Fire Company. Much like its people, Millstadt is steeped in history and pride, with roots tracing back to German immigrants. While many fire departments have come and gone, Millstadt’s Union Fire Company has managed to stick around, making it the oldest continuously operating volunteer fire department in Illinois. In its early days, operations were far simpler, relying on hand-pumped water systems and leather buckets. The volunteers would pull hose reels on wheels to reach fires, but they also handled more than just fires—they were often called upon for emergencies of all kinds. Nowadays, Chief Kurt Pellman supervises 32 active volunteers, including his own son. Technology has certainly advanced; today, they use pagers to notify their team during emergencies. Back then, however, things were a lot more straightforward. “We’d sound the town sirens three times for a fire,†Pellman reminisced. “If it went off four times, everyone knew to head straight to the station.†Ralph Schaefer, whose great-grandfather moved to the area in the 1870s, is among the current volunteers. Robert Stumpf’s family arrived in the 1840s, and he’s been serving with the 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’s dedicated his life to volunteering. “Older trucks used to have boots that firefighters hoped to grab last,†Pellman recalled. “Back then, our main protection was a raincoat. Breathing apparatuses? That wasn’t even a concept.†“We’d usually end up with two boots and three coats,†Stumpf chuckled. “Safety measures were minimal back then.†Spreading across 96 square miles of southern Illinois’ rural terrain, the Union Fire Department serves a vast area. Their efforts wouldn’t be possible without strong backing from the local community, which has always shown immense support. Despite its size, Millstadt remains a close-knit community. Over the years, through countless fires and countless volunteers, what truly stands out is the resilience and dedication of those who’ve committed themselves to protecting their neighbors. In the past, firefighters who missed community events faced fines of 50 cents. Missing a funeral procession? Forget about it—you just didn’t do that. For more details and pictures, check out the link above! Round Trash Can,Satin Finish Bin,Round Shape Bin,Satin Finish Can Evergreen Houseware , https://www.evergreenhome.cn