Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal

Current Focus

IDNR Volunteer Fire Assistance Program Grant

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants from Feb. 14 through April 14.

The grant provides assistance for organizing, training, and equipping rural fire departments. Funding is passed through to local fire departments and fire training academies to prevent and suppress rural fires while enhancing the protection capabilities of rural communities at risk in the wildland-urban interface.

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Smoke Alarm Save Highlights Importance of Working Smoke Alarms

Late in the evening on February 16th, a residential fire broke out in Greenville, IL and despite the devastation and damage to the home, a ray of light emerged – the first recorded smoke alarm save through the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program.

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Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor Ceremony

SAVE THE DATE: The 2025 Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 10 AM on the grounds of the Illinois State Capitol. The Medal of Honor Ceremony will follow at the BOS Center in Springfield.

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Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program Impact Report

The Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation program reported 8,677 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms were installed in home across Illinois in 2024. Since the program began in 2018, over 40,000 smoke alarms have been distruted to Illinois fire departments. There are currently 320 active fire departments across the state in 61 different counties who participate.

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Carbon Monoxide Safety

Illinoisans will be turning up their thermostats to stay warm during the winter season, which brings an increased risk for home fires and carbon monoxide incidents. Unlike smoke, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas only detectable by special devices and CO alarms. The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) encourages residents to have their furnaces checked, change furnace filters, and make sure carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke detectors are functioning properly.

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