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Excerpts from kmov.com:
The tale starts in 1736 when Benjamin Franklin established the Union Fire Company. By 1871, another Union Fire Company emerged in Centreville, Illinois, boasting 32 members. However, things became a bit convoluted because there was another town located just ten miles south of Centreville that also called itself Centreville.
This odd situation persisted for nearly five decades until the southern Centreville finally recognized the issue in 1890. They then decided to rename themselves Millstadt, while the Centreville Fire Department gradually transformed into the Millstadt Union Fire Company. Millstadt is a proud and historically rich town with German roots. Despite numerous changes in fire departments over the years, Millstadt's commitment has never wavered.
Today, the Union Fire Company of Millstadt proudly claims its title as the oldest continuously operating volunteer fire department in Illinois. Operations initially involved hand-pumped equipment that the firefighters manually dragged to emergency sites, along with hose reels on wheels and leather buckets. Their responsibilities extended beyond firefighting duties.
Under the leadership of Fire Chief Kurt Pellman, who oversees 32 active volunteers including his son, technology has introduced modern paging systems to notify the team during emergencies. In the past, however, methods were far simpler.
"We used to sound the town sirens three times for a fire," Pellman reminisced. "A fourth blast meant everyone had to gather."
Among the dedicated volunteers is Ralph Schaefer, whose great-grandfather moved to the area in the 1870s. Robert Stumpf's family settled here in the 1840s; he joined the unit in 1956 and even served as fire chief. Butch Hettenhausen's ancestors arrived in the mid-1800s, dedicating their lives to service.
"Old trucks used to carry boots," Pellman recalled. "You hoped you'd get the last pair left. Safety gear was unheard of back then."
"Two boots and three coats were all we had," Stumpf recalled fondly. "Protection wasn't exactly top priority."
The Union Fire Department serves an expansive 96-square-mile region, covering vast rural areas in southern Illinois. Over the years, they've benefited immensely from unwavering community backing. Millstadt remains a close-knit community.
Throughout generations, countless fires, and devoted volunteers, one thing has stood the test of time: the resilience of those who faced every challenge head-on. Those who missed community events were fined 50 cents. Missing a funeral procession? Unthinkable.
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