Fire safety

The National Fire Protection Association said U.S. fire departments respond to an estimated average of 853 home structure fires per year that began with holiday decorations, excluding Christmas trees,

The Plainfield Fire Protection District will again participate in the holiday fire safety campaign “Keep the Wreath Red” to raise awareness of fire safety during the holiday season.

In collaboration with the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal and Camp I Am ME (A fire safety education nonprofit), the Mundelein Fire Department will be installing no-cost smoke alarms for the residents of Mundelein.

The City of Joliet released guidelines for disposal of leaves and other seasonal yard waste.

Plans by the Lockport Township Fire Protection District to construct a multi-purpose training facility in Crest Hill advanced Sept. 9, and will move to a final hearing before the Planning Commission.

To build a training facility that, decades down the road, still effectively serves Sauk Valley firefighters and, by extension, residents. That’s the goal members of the Garrett Ramos Training Facility Cooperative set for the Rock Falls and Sterling fire departments.

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee voted to approve an appropriations bill Wednesday that includes $825,000 in Community Project Funding for the Rock Falls Fire Department to build a burn tower where firefighters can train in live-fire conditions.

Joliet's fire chief outlined how the department has been educating the community and engaging in programs to address the root causes of behavioral and mental health issues in the city.

Joliet’s fire chief said the increasing amount of synthetic materials in homes cause the fires "to burn hotter and faster than ever before."

The three departments will receive grants up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.

Company has hired retired Byron fire deputy chief as fire apparatus specialist.

The Crest Hill City Council held a work session with the Lockport Township Fire Protection District Monday to discuss plans for a future training facility for the department which could include facilities for police training, including a gun range.

The National Fire Protection Association is reminding the public about the increased risk of home fires during the winter months, along with critical ways to prevent them and stay safe.

The Plainfield Fire Protection District is promoting fire safety this holiday season with its annual Red Wreath campaign.

Tips offered on how safely decorate for the holidays

Fire officials report decorations were the first thing to ignite in roughly 800 reported home fires around Halloween each year.

Students are taught on how to “stop, drop and roll,” how to handle simple fires such as food on a stove top, and how to safely leave a burning home.

Dixon City firefighters visit the cities third graders in recognition of Fire Prevention Week.

Dinges Fire Company, a family-owned fire equipment and apparatus distribution business based in Amboy, has expanded its service area, bringing the total to 10 Midwestern states the 22-year-old company serves.

The American Red Cross of River Valley Illinois and the Joliet Fire Department will install more than 200 smoke alarms on Saturday. The Red Cross will train volunteers on-site to install the alarms. People who need a free smoke alarm need to sign up for one by Friday.

A rural Oregon home served as the training site Saturday for 30 firefighters from area departments.

The State Fire Marshal encourages residents to have furnaces checked, change furnace filters and make sure carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are functioning properly