Website Article Archives

Rollover Accident

Deer Creek Rescue 1, Engine 1, the Deer Creek-Goodfield Police Department, and Morton Fire Department Paramedics recently responded to a one-vehicle rollover accident near Deer Creek. Upon arrival Deer Creek units found the vehicle upside down with the driver still inside. The patient was safely removed and was transported by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. Deer Creek Engine 1 stayed on scene to control traffic until the vehicle was removed.

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Vehicle Fire - April 2011

Firefighters responded to a vehicle on fire on a trailer in the Village of Deer Creek. When the call was received, Deer Creek Tanker 1 and Engine 2 were on their way back to the station from training and responded to the scene. Engine 1 and Rescue 1 also responded from the fire station. While the vehicle and trailer were fully involved when firefighters arrived, they were able to quickly extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to the truck that had been towing the trailer.

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RIT Training - April 2011

Firefighters from the Deer Creek, Morton, and Eureka-Goodfield fire departments recently participated in a one-day Rapid Intervention Team training session at the Deer Creek Fire Station.  Firefighters learned a variety of techniques for removing trapped or disabled firefighters from a building using several training props.  The training concluded with several drills conducted in the Tazewell County Firefighters Association smoke trailer. 

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Spring Fire Season

Spring fire season is here.  Please help us reduce false emergency responses by reporting your controlled prarie grass burns to the Morton Police Department Dispatch Center at 309-266-6666.  If you are conducting a burn that becomes out of control, please call 911 immediately.

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2010 Annual Report Available

The 2010 annual report of the Deer Creek Fire Department is now available.  This report contains information on the number of emergencies the department responded to, along with information on training and other activities that the department was involved in throughout the year.  You can view the report by clicking here.

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January Fire Training

For training in January firefighters practiced performing residential search techniques and a variety of drags and carries that can be used to remove victims from a building under fire conditions.  Some of the exercises included learning methods for removing unconcious victims through a window and down a ladder.  

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Mutual Aid - House Fire - December 2010

Deer Creek firefighters recently responded to a request for mutual aid from the Eureka-Goodfield Fire Protection District at a house fire in rural Goodfield.  The fire was reportedly started by an explosion in the basement, which quickly spread flames throughout the entire building.  Deer Creek Tanker 1, Engine 1, and Rescue 1 responded to provide water, manpower, and breathing air.  Crews were on scene for several hours battling with the stubborn blaze. Crews from the Washington and Congerville fire departments also responded.

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Tree/Brush Fire - October 2010

Deer Creek firefighters were called to the scene of a small brush fire that had extended to the inside of a large hollow tree.  Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire.

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Fire Station Open House

This year's fire prevention week open house at the fire station was a huge success.  Thanks to all who attended!  The weather was beautiful and the turnout was great.  Kids got to participate in a variety of hands-on activities including putting on firefighter gear, riding in a fire truck, and using a fire hose.  The fire extinguisher trainers were also a big hit with kids and adults alike.  There are many more pictures of this event available on our Facebook Page.

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School Assembly

As part of our annual fire prevention week activities, firefighters supervised a fire drill at the Dee-Mack Intermediate School in Deer Creek.  Following the fire drill, students convened in the gymnasium for an assembly put on by the firefighters, who demonstrated a variety of tools and techniques used by firefighters, and also gave lessons on fire safety.  There are many more pictures of this event available on our Facebook Page.

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Car vs. Power Pole 

Deer Creek firefighters responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident with power lines down on Dee-Mack Road.  Upon arrival crews found a vehicle that had struck a power pole, with the pole snapped in half and live wires within inches of the vehicle.  AmerenCILCO was notified and responded to the scene.  While waiting for the power company to arrive responders had the driver stay in the vehicle to avoid any further injury.  Once power was cut to the wires, firefighters and paramedics were able to evaluate the driver's minor injuries.

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Car Fire 

Deer Creek firefighters recently responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident with a fire.  Upon arrival crews found a vehicle that had rolled off the roadway into a ditch and had caught fire.  The vehicle was fully involved when firefighters arrived and was quickly extinguished using a hoseline from Engine 1.  The driver of the vehicle was able to self-extricate before the fire became severe and had only minor injuries.  Crews were on scene for about an hour until the vehicle could be removed by a towing company.  

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New Equipment Arrives 

In 2009 the Deer Creek Fire Department acted as a host applicant for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant project for water supply equipment.  Other agencies involved in the project include the Carlock, Congerville, Eureka-Goodfield, Secor and Washington fire departments.  The equipment that was purchased has finally arrived and will allow all involved departments to use 5" hose for water supply and also ensure that each department is equipped with portable pumps to access water from ponds and rivers.  A host of adapters, fittings, and hose appliances were also purchased.  This grant project will allow a significant improvement in water supply capabilities for the participating departments.  

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Deer Creek Firefighters Support St. Jude

On Saturday, August 7th the St. Jude marathon runners made their way through Deer Creek on their run from Memphis, TN to Peoria, IL.  The Deer Creek Fire Department showed their support for the runners by welcoming them into town and escorting them on their route down US Highway 150.

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Dumpster Fire 

Deer Creek Engine 1 and Rescue 1 responded to dumpster fire in Deer Creek.  Because the dumpster was against a building, crews used the front winch on Rescue 1 to pull it away from the building prior to opening it.  Once the dumpster was safely away from the exposed structure, firefighters used a handline from Engine 1 to quickly extinguish the fire.

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Garage Fire 

Firefighters recently responded to a report of a barn fire in a rural portion of the District.  The Eureka-Goodfield Fire Department provided an Engine and Tanker as mutual aid in addition to the units from Deer Creek.  Upon arrival crews found a large metal building with smoke showing.  A quick interior attack was made using a preconnected handline from Engine 1, and the garage door was then opened to allow the heat and smoke to escape.  While the fire was contained to a relatively small portion of the garage, most of the contents experienced severe heat or smoke damage because the fire was burning for an extended period of time before it was discovered.  Our thanks to the Eureka-Goodfield Fire Department for their assistance at the scene.  For more pictures, visit our page on Facebook.

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Extrication Training 

Firefighters and EMTs from the Deer Creek, Goodfield, and Eureka fire departments recently conducted joint training on vehicle extrication at the Deer Creek fire station.  Topics included ensuring scene safety, stabilizing vehicles, and gaining entry to entrapped patients using a variety of hand and power forcible entry tools.  Many thanks to Joe's Towing for providing several old cars to use during this training session.   For more pictures and videos, including a demonstration of an airbag activation, visit our page on Facebook.

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Interstate 74 Car Fire 

Deer Creek Engine 1 and Tanker 1 responded along with Goodfield Engine 4 to a car fire on Interstate 74.  A car that was being towed by a motorhome started on fire.  Fortunately, the driver of the motorhome was able to disconnect the car and pull the motorhome away before it too was damaged.  While firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire, the car was a total loss.  Our thanks to the Goodfield Fire Department for their assistance at the scene.  For more pictures, visit our page on Facebook.

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Mutual Aid Training 

The Morton Fire Department recenly invited the Deer Creek Fire Department to train on water shuttle operations, which are required in rural areas with no fire hydrants.  Morton set up an engine to draft water from a pond using a dry hydrant, and then relayed that water to a tanker fill site using several hundred feet of 5" large diameter hose.  The fill site was used to fill tanker trucks from Morton and Deer Creek, which then shuttled the water to a dump site for offloading.  For more pictures, visit our page on Facebook.

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Basic Pumps Class

More than 25 firefighters from eight area departments attended a Basic Pumps course hosted by the Deer Creek Fire Department on June 26th.  The course was made available by the Illinois Fire Service Institute Cornerstone Program.  Attendees learned the basics of fire pump operations for both hydranted and non-hydranted operations.  For many more pictures, visit our page on Facebook.

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June Fire Training 

For their monthly fire training session in June, firefighters practiced several pumping operations, including relay pumping and drafting.  Relay pumping is a term for pumping water from one fire truck to another.  This is done to boost pressure in the hose lines to overcome friction loss in long hose lays.  Drafting is "sucking up" water from a static, non-pressurized water source like a pond or stream.  This is done when water is needed in rural areas where there are no fire hydrants available.  For more pictures, visit our page on Facebook.

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Spring Training 

For their monthly fire training session in May, firefighters drilled on assembling an initial attack on a fire.  This involves putting on an airpack, pulling hose, establishing a backup team, and flowing water.  The goal is to accomplish all of these tasks within two minutes of arriving on scene.  Firefighters spent the first hour of training practicing donning and doffing airpacks, and then moved on to drills that included pulling hose and flowing water.  For more pictures, visit our page on Facebook.

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Electrical Fire

Firefighters were called to a report of a porch light that was smoldering.  Upon arrival, crews found that the outside wood siding was charred through and the inside wall was hot to the touch.  Investigation with the thermal imaging camera indicated high heat extending into the ceiling and roof areas.   After shutting off electricity, a small section of the outside siding and soffit was removed to check for any fire extension and to cool the area.  Burned wires were found inside the wall.  Crews were on scene for about 45 minutes.

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Field Fire

Firefighters were called to an address on County Line Road where a controlled burn spread into an adjacent field due to windy conditions.  The Goodfield Fire Department was requested for assistance and responded with their brush truck.  Clayton Wiegand also supplied a tractor to assist.  Crews were on scene for about two hours.

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Spring Fire Season

Spring fire season is almost here.  Please help us reduce false emergency responses by reporting your controlled prarie grass burns to the Morton Police Department Dispatch Center at 309-266-6666.  If you are conducting a burn that becomes out of control, please call 911 immediately.

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New Members

Three new members have joined the Department in the past several weeks.  The picture to the right shows several of them receiving some initial training on Personal Protective Equipement, including turnout gear and Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).  The department still needs several more members to meet our recruiting goals for this year.  If you live or work in the Deer Creek Fire Protection District and are interested in volunteering, please let us know!

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2009 Annual Report

The 2009 Annual Report of the Deer Creek Fire Department is now available.  Click here to view the report.

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New Cascade System Installed

Funds from a FEMA Assistance to Firefighter Grant allowed the purchase of a new four-bottle 6000 psi cascade station that was recently installed in Rescue 1.  This system will be used to refill firefighter SCBA (airpacks) on fire scenes.  The new system is capable of filling our new 4500 psi bottles as well as older 2216 psi bottles.  The system was purchased from and installed by SCBAs Inc. in Washington Illinois.  

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New SCBA Arrive

Thanks to two grants from the State of Illinois and the Department of Homeland Security, the Deer Creek Fire Department has been able to purchase thirteen new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).  These are the air packs that supply firefighters with safe breathing air when the enter burning buildings or other hazardous environments.  The new packs incorporate many new safety features including integrated PASS devices, heads up displays, and emergency buddy breathing connections.  This is the first time in the history of the department that it's been possible to buy brand new air packs that aren't hand me downs from other departments.  These SCBA represent a significant improvement in the safety of our firefighters.

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Fall 2009 Activities

It's been a busy few weeks of activity in Deer Creek.  October kicked off with Fire Safety Week.  Firefighters oversaw a fire drill at the school and then put on a demonstration for students in an assembly after the drill.  Dee-Mack High School homecoming was also in October, and Deer Creek Tanker 1 participated in the parade.  Finally, the weather was great and turnout high for the Deer Creek Halloween Parade.  Engine 1, Tanker 1, and Rescue 1 represented the department in that event.  For more pictures of all of these events, see our Facebook page.

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I-74 Rollover 7/8/09

Firefighters and EMTs were called to the scene of an early-morning accident on Interstate 74 near mile marker 111.  Upon arrival units found a tractor trailer that had rolled on its side in the ditch.  The driver was transported to a local hosptial for non life-threatening injuries by Morton Paramedics.  The refrigerated truck had been carrying a load of frozen chickens.  Towing and recovery crews were on the scene for several hours removing the vehicle from the side of the roadway.

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Independence Day Activities

Because of the inclement weather on the 4th of July, Deer Creek held its Independence Day activities on Sunday July 5th.  Firefighters and EMTs gave fire truck rides for children (and a few "children at heart") throughout the evening before the fireworks display.  To see how you can help keep the Deer Creek fireworks tradition alive next year, please visit the Village of Deer Creek's website.

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Car Fire 6/29/09

Firefighters from Deer Creek and Morton responded to a fully engulfed car fire on Interstate 74 near mile marker 108. Personnel quickly extinguished the blaze, which occurred in a construction zone.  Our thanks to the Morton Fire Department for their assistance at the scene.

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New Rescue 1 Now In Service! 6/28/09

The Deer Creek Fire Department recently placed into service a 2002 Ford F550 4x4 rescue truck.  The truck was purchased from the Choconut Center Volunteer Fire Company in Binghamtom, NY.  The new truck replaces a 1984 converted ambulance that has since been removed from service.  The new Rescue 1 seats five personnel and has an abundance of compartment space to hold our hydraulic rescue tools (Jaws of Life), medical equipment, air filling tanks, generator, and other rescue equipment.  This vehicle will be used to respond to a variety of incidents ranging from medical emergencies to vehicle accidents to house fires.  The truck was purchased with the assistance of a twenty year 0% interest loan through the Illinois Finance Authority and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.  

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New Radios and Pagers Purchased 6/20/09

A recent Volunteer Fire Assistance grant administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has allowed us to purchase ten new waterproof portable radios, twenty new pagers, and a new base radio for the fire station.  This is a big help since our old pagers were in constant need of repair and we did not have enough portable radios to equip all firefighters on scene with a radio.  The new base radio will eventually be installed as a repeater on a new frequency, which will allow better communications and eliminate interference problems that we have on our current dispatch channel.  

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Memorial Tree Planted 4/25/09
On Saturday April 25th a tree donated by Kirk Kamp was planted at the Deer Creek Fire Station in memory of former firefighter Mark Wiegand, who recently passed away.  Family and friends gathered to plant the tree in honor of Mark's many years of service to the community. 

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Motor Vehicle Accident 3/17/09
Firefighters and EMTs were called to the scene of a motor vehicle accident in a distant rural part of the district on St. Patricks day evening.  A vehicle had left the roadway and struck a tree, after which it caught fire.  The driver was able to exit the vehicle, which quickly became fully engulfed.  Firefighters extinguished the fire and ensured that it did not spread to the surrounding wooded areas.  EMTs tended to the patient, who was transported to a local hospital by Morton Paramedics for non life-threatening injuries. 

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Spring Fire Season - Please Report Controlled Burns 

The dry springtime fire season is upon us.  During this time of the year it is common for people to conduct controlled burns of prairie grass on their property.  If you are going to be conducting a controlled burn, we ask that you notify the Morton Police Department Dispatch Center ahead of time to reduce false alarm responses.  The Morton Police Department's non-emergency number is 309-266-6666.  If you need to report a fire that is out of control, please call 911 immediately.  We thank you for your cooperation.

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Field Fire 3/4/09 

Deer Creek firefighters were called to a daytime field fire on Harding Road.  Engine 2 and Tanker 1 responded to the fire, which took about 45 minutes to fully extinguish.  Approximately 3 acres were burned.  The Deer Creek Fire Department reminds all members of the community to be extremely cautious when burning during this dry time of year.

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Motor Vehicle Accident 1/7/09
Firefighters and EMTs were called to the scene of a motor vehicle accident on an icy rural road.  Upon arrival crews found an SUV on its side with the driver still in the vehicle.  Stabilization struts were used to secure the vehicle and the windshield was removed so that the driver could be safely removed.  The patient was transported to a local hospital by Morton Ambulance.  The Morton Fire Department also assisted at the scene. 

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Multiple Vehicle Accident 1/6/09

Rescue personnel from the Deer Creek and Eureka-Goodfield fire departments responded to an accident involving three vehicles on Interstate 74.  Drivers in two of the three vehicles were entrapped and required extrication using hydraulic rescue tools.  The injured were transported to local hospitals by Eureka Ambulance.  Both westbound lanes of Interstate 74 were closed for nearly an hour as crews worked to free the victims and clear the scene.  

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New Fire Extinguisher Trainer - 12/1/08

The Deer Creek Fire Department has taken delivery of a new digital fire extinguisher training system.  This new training tool was purchased with funds from a donation by State Farm Insurance.  The BullEx system uses a computer-controlled propane burner to accurately simulate different classes of fires.  Participants use special extinguishers that can easily be recharged using compressed air and water.  The system senses whether the trainee is using the proper sweeping motion with the extinguisher and adjusts the flames accordingly.  This new tool will allow the department to offer free fire extinguisher training to area businesses and residents.  In the past, offering this type of hands-on training was cost-prohibitive because of the expense of recharging and maintaining an adequate supply of extinguishers.  If you live or have a business in our district and would like to participate in a free hands-on training course, please email us.

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Thermal Imaging Camera Placed in Service

The Deer Creek Fire Department recently placed a new Scott Eagle Imager 160 thermal imaging camera (TIC) into service.  This heat-sensing camera can be used to search for victims in smoky environments, find hidden hotspots and fires, and for many other operations.  

 

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Car Fire 10/18/08 

Deer Creek firefighters were called to an early-morning car fire on Interstate 74.  The Goodfield Fire Department responded as a mutual aid agency and was able to quickly extinguish the fully involved vehicle.  Deer Creek and Goodfield firefighters were on scene for about an hour.  The vehicle was a total loss. 

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EVOC Training 9/27/08 

Department members recently took a course in Emergency Vehicle Operations. The classroom portion of the course included information on laws and standards regarding emergency vehicle operations on roadways. After the classroom session, firefighters completed a drive test through an obstacle course to show proficiency in operating department apparatus.

 

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Trailer Fire 9/13/08

Firefighters were called to the scene of a commercial vehicle trailer that had started on fire.  The trailer was not connected to a truck, and the fire was quickly extinguished.  Fire crews were on scene for about 30 minutes.

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Motor Vehicle Accident 9/2/08
Firefighters and EMTs were called to the scene of a motor vehicle accident.  The vehicle had left the pavement and become lodged across a creek.  Occupants were able to exit the vehicle.  Deer Creek Fire Department personnel attended to the patients and secured the scene until the vehicle could be removed.

 

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Debris Fire 8/6/08
Firefighters were called to the scene of a debris fire that had grown out of control and was threatening several adjacent buildings. Upon arrival, firefighters found the debris pile fully involved and quickly extinguished the fire and protected the exposed buildings, preventing fire spread. Firefighters were on scene for approximately one hour. More pictures from this fire can be found here.

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Deer Creek Firefighters Support St. Jude

On Saturday, August 2nd the St. Jude marathon runners made their way through Deer Creek on their run from Memphis, TN to Peoria, IL.  The Deer Creek Fire Department showed their support for the runners by welcoming them into town and escorting them on their route down US Highway 150.

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Storm Damage Cleanup - 6/15/2008

On Father's Day a line of severe thunderstorms made their way through the Village, causing storm damage including several large trees that fell throughout town.  Firefighters assisted residents with clearing trees and debris from Village roadways.

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New Tanker Arrives! - 3/24/08

The Deer Creek Fire Protection District has taken delivery of a new 2008 Pierce Contender DX series tanker. This tanker replaces a 1978 converted farm truck. The new truck has a 3000 gallon tank and a 500 gallon per minute PTO pump. The truck was purchased with funds from a federal FIRE Act grant. This new tanker will offer a significant improvement in safety and response capabilities for the Deer Creek Fire Department. To see more pictures of the tanker being delivered, click here.  To view the Department's press release announcing the new delivery, click here.

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Deer Creek Fire Department Awarded $171,000 FIRE Act Grant  for New Tanker - 11/23/07


See the list of awardees