Arthur fire and ambulance named parade grand marshals
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The Arthur Area Association of Commerce announced this year’s Grand Marshal for the Freedom Celebration Parade as the Arthur Fire and Ambulance Departments. The parade steps-off at 2 p.m. this Saturday.
For generations, the Arthur Fire Department has been much more than an emergency response agency. They have earned the respect and gratitude of residents through their professionalism, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.
The department traces its roots back more than a century as local citizens recognized the growing need for organized fire protection within the village. What began with basic firefighting equipment, today they are comprised of dedicated volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders who answer calls at all hours of the day and night and are equipped with advanced vehicles, rescue tools, and highly trained personnel.
Perhaps what makes the department special is that its members are neighbors helping neighbors. They are business owners, farmers, employees, parents, and civic-minded residents exemplifying the spirit of volunteer service that has long defined Arthur.
While firefighters are called upon to battle fires, respond to accidents, provide life-saving assistance, helping with weather-related incidents and mutual aid requests throughout the surrounding area, they have also become an integral part of the fabric of the Arthur community through their support of local events, celebrations, and civic activities.
One of the department’s longest-running traditions is its annual Labor Day Pancake and Sausage Breakfast. For decades, residents and visitors have gathered at the fire station to enjoy a hearty breakfast while supporting their local firefighters. This event has become a tradition for many families and serves as an opportunity for community members to visit with firefighters, tour equipment, and show support for the department.
During the holiday season, the department’s spirit of giving shines through several community outreach efforts. The department has long supported the Angel Tree program, helping ensure that children and families in need experience the joy of Christmas. Through donations from generous community members, gifts are collected and distributed to local families during the holiday season.
Firefighters also participate in collecting, sorting, and delivering Christmas boxes to area residents. Working alongside local churches, businesses, civic groups, and volunteers, department members help ensure food, gifts, and essential items reach families who may need extra assistance during the holidays. The effort reflects the department’s belief that serving the community extends far beyond emergency response.
The department is also committed to educating future generations through fire prevention programs, school visits, and public safety demonstrations. These efforts help teach children and adults how to prevent fires and respond safely during emergencies.
Whether serving breakfast before sunrise, delivering Christmas boxes during the holiday season, directing traffic during a parade, or responding to an emergency call in the middle of the night, members of the Arthur Fire Department consistently demonstrate a spirit of service that has become a hallmark of the organization.
As Arthur celebrates its rich history, the fire department remains one of the community’s most trusted institutions. The men and women of the department remain a constant presence—serving, protecting, and strengthening the community they proudly call home.
Ambulance
Service
In 1994, Arthur Ambulance Service consisted of approximately 6-8 EMTs and was run out of Shrader Funeral Home. The small group of EMTs at the time felt like they had the initiative to start running the service through the Fire District and the trustees were completely supportive from day one. Sarah Bush held a special summer class for EMT-Basic that 11 people participated in from our community. On August 14, 1994, the Arthur Fire District went through its first inspection by the State of Illinois and Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and entered the patient care and transportation field. Currently, we have 21 first responders ranging in levels from Emergency Medical Responders to EMT-Paramedics. We have 2 full-time employees, 4 part-timers and 16 volunteers. Eight of their members are cross trained as firefighters too.
In the last two years, they have averaged 645 calls each year and are currently on track to run 500 this year. Their calls range from inter-facility transfers and broken bones, to heart attacks, burns and full cardiac arrests and have transported to many hospitals including Mayo, Barnes and our local Sarah Bush Lincoln, St. Mary’s, DMH, Carle and Kirby among others.