Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal

November is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas that can be deadly. It is produced when fuels such as natural gas, gasoline, propane, wood, and charcoal do not burn completely. According to national estimates, carbon monoxide poisoning results in more than 100,000 emergency room visits and claims more than 1,200 lives each year in the United States.

This year's theme, “A Lifetime of Protection: Every Age. Every Stage. Protected from CO.”, highlights how carbon monoxide risks and safety needs can change throughout a person's life. From pregnancy and infancy to childhood, adulthood, and older adulthood, everyone deserves protection from this potentially deadly gas.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for the FY2027 Small Equipment Grant Program.  This year, applicants will be eligible for up to $50,000 for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.

Application Deadline is November 30, 2026! 

The OSFM has been tasked with surveying all Illinois fire departments to determine the prevalence and use of Class B firefighting foam that contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Only personnel authorized by their department should complete this survey.

Please complete this survey by November 15, 2026.

Marta Keane from the Battery Network talks about how fire departments can get involved in battery recycling in their communities. 

OSFM’s Fire Prevention Division has compiled important information on lithium-ion batteries into a comprehensive fact sheet. The guide covers how the technology works, the dangers of thermal runaway, current challenges and trends, recent developments, and key firefighting considerations when responding to these incidents.

As lithium-ion batteries become more common in everyday devices, understanding the risks and safety measures is more important than ever. Learn more by clicking the link below.