Bloomington IL Fire Fighters Service Memorial

12/05/2023

The Bloomington Fire Department has new leadership with Cory Matheny taking over from retiring Fire Chief Eric West. Matheny said West was a mentor, who left the fire department in excellent shape.

11/16/2023

We are excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for Firefighter/Paramedic. Previous experience or certifications are optional for testing.

11/16/2023

07/08/2023

07/08/2023

Today we pause to remember a fallen brother. Asst. Chief Abrams had a historically long and distinguished career. Thank you Engineer Batka for the information.

05/29/2023

On May 29, 1928, Firefighter Frank Payton died from his injuries sustained at a fire on May 7, 1928.

A fire started at 9 pm on May 7,1928 in the J. E. Will & Co. furniture store. The fire quickly spread throughout the four story building. The Bloomington Fire Department kept the flames from spreading to other buildings in the commercial district. After the main body of fire had been put out, Frank went inside with 5 others to fight a fire that had flared up on the first floor. The center wall gave way and the building collapsed. In total, seven firefighters were caught underneath the debris. Five firefighters; Louis Browning, Ralph Laesch, Chas. Smith, Elmo Waters, and Frank Payton were initially pulled from the wreckage. Firefighter Walfried Moline and Louis Payton were still missing. The Bloomington Fire Department had the help of the local Chicago and Alton railroad shops and members of the butcher’s union to first recover Moline. It was almost two days later that firefighters recovered Louis Payton (Franks son). Louis Payton would be later made an Honorary Firefighter by the City of Bloomington.

Frank had a broken femur/hip and was in the hospital when his son was buried. A radio was piped into the window of Frank's room so he could hear the service. Frank's injury did not get better, and his leg/hip had to be re-broken. After which, infection set in, and he died. Frank's service was held at the same hour of the day as his sons' service was. It was held at the same church and officiated by the same minister. Frank and Louis rest next to each other at Parkhill Cemetery.

01/30/2023

01/27/2023

12/24/2022

Congratulations Bloomington Fire Department on breaking last year's record of 12,969 calls! Currently sitting at 12973 on Christmas Eve.

11/22/2022

09/18/2022

This date in 1912 Bloomington Fire Department says good bye to one of their own. Flurrence "Flurry" J. Colton dies from his injuries received on July 9th, 1909 at the Grand Opera House Fire (Just west of current day Lucca Grill). A long illness with bruises in the abdomen region lead to four different operations. The last operation being on Sept. 9th, 1912. FF Colton remained in much pain even with the surgeries. His weakened condition after the last surgery was such that he gradually failed until his death.

FF Colton was born Aug. 3rd, 1876 in Bloomington. He joined the fire department in 1897 after being in the butcher business. His record showed he had been an honorable firefighter and one of the more well known firefighters in the city. With just a few years on the job, he helped fight the Great Fire of 1900.

RIP Brother Colton. Never Forgotten.

Information provided by Rich Batka

08/30/2022

Please share and join us for a remembrance ceremony at Miller Park-Firefighter Service Memorial. The ceremony will begin at 930am. Hope to see you there.