History

The first recorded fire in the Village of Lena was October 25, 1867. It was a small fire developing from a stove pipe in the home of Mr. McClausland. Nearly a year later, the village came close to losing its' train depot. The cause was listed as spontaneous combustion. Other small fires were reported in 1868.

The need for a town pump was championed by Lena Star Editor, J.M. Shannon. Due to pressure from the press and townspeople, the Village Council chose to drill a well. It was located at the corner of Main & Schuyler Streets where the Coffee House is today. The well was 44 feet deep and was put into service on May 15, 1868.

The need for an organized Fire Department was soon recognized. On September 10, 1869, a firebroke out in a stable owned by W.D. Clark. The building was totally destroyed and two horses were killed in the fire. The cause of the fire originated from children playing with matches. In October of 1869, the Board of Trustees appointed David Young as Chief with H.G. Fowler and John Aue First and Second Assistants. These men had the authority to organize "One Fire Company of not less than 20 nor more than 45 members in accordance with the Fire Ordinance", according to the Lena Star. On October 15, 1869, the Lena Star published the first Fire Ordinance for the town.

In January of 1870, the newly formed Lena Fire Company held its first meeting. They elected a Chairman and members to draft a Constitution and By-Laws. At the next meeting, the Constitution and By-Laws were accepted and the official name chosen was Lena Fire Company One. The town purchased a chemical engine for the new Fire Company, a hand engine, and 800 feet of hose were added in 1874.

On October 13, 1871, the Lena Star urged citizens of the Village to be aware of fire hazards after word was recieved of the Great Chicago Fire. In June of 1874, the Village built 4 cisterns capable of holding 600 barrels of water each. This action satisfied many people who had feared that an inadequate water supply would result in a terrible fire loss for the town. In July of 1874, a building was constructed for the Fire Department to store its equipment in.

In 1880 the Village Council purchased a new steam fire engine from the Aherns Manufacturing Company of Cincinnatti, Ohio. The cost of the engine was $3,700.00 and was nicknamed "A Daisy on Wheels". In 1887 a new larger cistern was built on Railroad Street just east of Center Street. This cistern is still in use today and could be used in an emergency situation.

The need for an adequate water supply prompted a referendum in April of 1895. Anti waterwords orators spoke of higher taxes as a reason the referendum should be defeated, but it was passed despite the opposition. Work soon began on a new well and water tower. Tragedy fell upon the Village on Christmas morning of 1895 as the new water tower, under construction, fell to the ground. Poor construction techniques by contractor Jack Collins were to blame for the tower's failure. In the Spring of 1896 a new company was hired to complete the waterworks project and the tower was completed in September of 1896. That water tower is still in use today by the Village of Lena.

In March of 1902, a disaterous fire occured in Winslow. The fire started near the hotel and spread rapidly, aided by the wind. The downtown business district was destroyed. The Lena Fire Company, after receiving word of the fire, loaded their fire engine onto a railroad car which had to go to Freeport before being switched to the track to Winslow. When they arrived in Winslow, they placed their engine near the river and pumped water until 6:00 the next morning.

In April of 1907, a damaging fire occured in the Village. The Village Hall and Jail were destroyed and all the fire fighting equipment and records were lost. New hose was ordered immediately and new hose carts were purchased. In 1917 the Village Trustees purchased a new Fire Truck. It had a Ford Chassis with a special body to carry men, hose reels, and hand pumps.

A new Fire Truck was purchased in 1930. It included a .40 gallon chemical tank, a 60 gallon water tank, and had a pump capable of pumping 400 gallons per minute. It also had ladders, extinguishers, lanterns, water buckets, and other small equipment. In 1941 a new pumper was purchased. It was a white Chevrolet and was manufactured by the Central Fire Truck Corporation of St. Louis. It was used until 1979 and is presently used for parades and special occasions.

In early 1948 Chief Harold Wales proposed formign a Fire Protection District. Public hearings were held and an election was set for May 8, 1948. Voters approved the District by a vote of 281 yes; 10 no. The District contained property in 5 townships: West Point, Waddams, Erin, Kent, and Harlem, and includeds the Villages of Lena, Eleroy, and Waddams Grove, and a small portion in Jo Davies County. In September a new truck was purchased for the district. It was another Chevrolet 500 gallon per minute pumper, and was equipped by the Howe Corporation.

In December of 1948, a fire of undertermined origin destroyed the Lena Methodist Church. The Fire Department arrived quickly, but was unable to enter the burning building. A truck from Freeport arrived to help fight the flames and the Winslow tuck was put on stand-by. Firemen were able to keep the fire from spreading to adjoing buildings.

The Lena Fire Department underwent changes in the 1950's. The department purchased a new 1000 gallon tanker, purchased portable rescue equipment and firemen men went to training schools to learn the latest firefighting techniques.

In 1959 a new station was built at the corner of Freedom and Elm Streets. It was a cement block and brick building measuring 78 feet by 60 feet and consisted of an apparatus room, meeting room, office, boiler room, kitchen, and restrooms.

Among the worst disasters to hit the 50's was in March of 1951 when an explosion blew open Lena's business district completely destroying the Benninger Cafe and damaging the Jack Spratt Grocery Story. Firemen rushed to the scene and helped 5 people who were injured in the blast.

In 1954 the old Lena casket factory building was destroyed by fire. Trucks from Lena, Pearl City, and Freeport battled the blaze. More than 35 firemen manned hoses and other equipment in sub zero weather. Cause of the blaze was undetermined. In 1955 the Lena Fire Department helped fight a major fire in Freeport at the Second National Bank Building. In 1956 fire claimed the life of Edith Weaver when a fire started in the old stone building behind the old Leamon's Furniture Store.

The 1960's brought more changes to the fire department. In 1963 a new pumper was purchased and in 1966 a new tanker was purchased. Home plectrons were purchased for each fireman so firemen could be alerted more quickly. The corncob processing plant in Waddams Grove gave lena firemen a lot of problems in the 1960's as well. In 1964 a spectacular fire damaged the plant. Damage was estimated at $200,000. Firemen from Lena, Winslow, McConnel, Pearl City, Warren, and Stockton came to help fight the blaze in blinding sleet and snow. In 1966 three Lena firemen were injured at the Cob Plant when a dust explosion occured. Fire Chief Eugene Roe and Fireman Paul Trappen were treated by a local doctor. In 1969 Lena Firemen celebrated their centennial. Among the highlights were a parade and the dedication of a Memorial Monument.

Since the Centennial Celebration in 1969, the Lena Fire Department has seen many changes. In the 1970's a new 1000 gallon tanker and new pumper were purchased. The 1980's saw the addition of two grass fire trucks, a new 2100 gallon water tanker, and a new rescue van. Rescue equipment for extricating accident victims had also been added.

Four fires stand out the most in the last few decades as most-memorable. The first was on October 25, 1973 when a lumber storage shed at Lena Builders in Eleroy caught fire. The stacked burning lumber was very difficult to put out. One hundred thousand gallons of water were used to extinguish the fire and many area departments provided mutual aid.

On May 19th, 1978 fire destroyed a chicken house at the Clarence Stouffer Hatchery in Waddams Grove. Mutual Aid was provided by the Stockton and Warren Fire Departments. On December 18, 1985 fire destroyed the Double K. Nursery building on Lake Road. Temperatures were below zero and hampered fire fighting efforts. Damage to the building and contents were severe. Mutual Aid was provided by Cedarville, McConnell, and Winslow Fire Departments.

On July 5th, 1988 an Illinois Central Gulf train started grass fires along the Railroad Right of Way from Eleroy to west of Waddams Grove. The summer drought and high winds contributed to the problem. Four area departments were called to help; Warren, Winslow, McConnell, and Cedarville.

In 1989 a referendum was passed in Stephenson County bringing enhanced 911 services to the district residents. At that time the Stephenson County Fire Chief's Association was formed and they eventually joined the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, better known as MABAS, becoming Division 17.

In 1993, new extrication equipment was purchased from Hurst. In 1994, the Department celebrated it's 125th Anniversary. The highlight of the celebration was a Dance held at the Lena Community Center. The tradition of an annual Dance was born and is held annually during Fire Prevention Week in October.

1995 a new Pierce pumper was purchased and the Department's I.S.O. rating was raised from 7 to 6. In the late 90's a used rescue truck and quint were purchased and the I.S.O. rating was raised from 6 to 5. With the demand for more equipment, the Trustees purchased the old Lena Farmer's Ecxhange as a site for a new station. In 2001 the Department held a fund-raising drive, and with the help from a State of Illinois Grant, a Thermal Imaging Camera was purchased. Also in 2001 a new tanker capable of holding 2,200 gallons of water was purchased.

In 2002 a new ethanol plant was built in the district that presented new challenges to Lena Firemen. With the assistance of Adkins Energy, 16 Firemen have received special training in fighting flammable liquid fires at Texas A & M University. This annual training is sponsored by Kidde Fire Fighting Inc. In 2005 the Department hired instructors to train Lena Firemen in Rapit Intervention Team techniques (RIT), using a grant from F.E.M.A. We were the first area fire department to have all their members trained in this important new concept.

In late 2006 construction began on a new station on Railroad Street. The Department moved to its' new facility in September 2007. In December of 2008 the Department purchased a used pumper. It was a 1999 Pierce Saber and has been designed to be a multi-purpose apparatus carrying both firefighting and extrication equipment.

In 2009 Lena Firemen will celebrate 140 years of community service at its' Annual Dance. While equipment and firefighting techniques have changed greatly throught the years, one constant has never changed; The commitment of the Lena Fire Department to the universal mission of the Fire Service: To Save Lives and Protect Property.