Centralia Fire Fighters IAFF Local 618

08/31/2026

Come out and see us at the corner of Broadway and Pullen this Saturday. It’s for a great cause and every little bit helps. The MDA does tremendous work helping those suffering from muscular dystrophy.

08/20/2026

Local 618 firefighters were out today setting up the MABAS tent for the 37th Annual Balloon Fest!

The tent will serve as a care shelter for attendees throughout the festival, providing a safe place for anyone who may need a break from the heat or other assistance during the event.

We’re proud to help support a safe and enjoyable Balloon Fest for our community and everyone visiting this weekend.

Have a great time, stay safe, and enjoy the balloons!

08/14/2026

Happy Birthday, Lieutenant Jordan Parson!

Please join us in wishing Lieutenant Jordan Parson a very happy birthday!

Jordan joined the Centralia Fire Department in 2018 and has continued to serve our department and community with dedication and professionalism.

We hope you have a great birthday, Thank you for everything you do for the department and the citizens we serve.

08/13/2026

Shift 3 found a way to mix training with a little friendly competition today with a game of Pop Darts—in full turnout gear and SCBA.

Being able to perform normal, everyday tasks while fully geared up is an important part of staying proficient. Working in our gear increases our comfort level, improves dexterity while wearing gloves, and helps us become more accustomed to moving, communicating, and functioning while wearing SCBA. The more natural the equipment feels, the better prepared we are when it matters.

And with temperatures hitting around 100 degrees outside, it definitely added another element to the challenge. The heat doesn’t stop the training—we push through and get the work in.

Of course, there also had to be something on the line.

Lt. Tate defeated Capt. Gelsinger with a T-nobber for the victory, which means Station 1 will be cooking for Station 2 next shift.

Training, competition, and bragging rights. Just another day on Shift 3.

08/05/2026

The City of Centralia Fire Department is accepting applications for our Initial Eligibility List Testing.

📅 Testing Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026

If you are interested in a challenging and rewarding career serving the City of Centralia, we encourage you to apply.

For application information, testing requirements, and deadlines, please visit: https://centraliafire.org/

We look forward to welcoming the next generation of firefighters to the Centralia Fire Department.

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Centralia FireDepartment Ignite Your Career Next Test Date | October 24, 2026 | 9 am Apply Now Firepay 2027 Starting Salary After 1 Year AmazingBenefits Health & Life Insurance Health Insurance Employee’s Choice of 3 Different Health Plans Life Insurance $10,000 Term Life Provided Time Off & Comp ...

07/29/2026

Happy Birthday, Captain Andrew Sneddon!

Today we're celebrating Captain Andrew Sneddon and wishing him a very happy birthday!

Captain Sneddon has proudly served the Centralia Fire Department since 2000, dedicating more than two decades to protecting our community. His years of service have made a lasting impact on the department and the people we serve.

From all of us at the Centralia Fire Department, thank you for your dedication and sacrifice. We hope you have a fantastic birthday and a great year ahead!

Happy Birthday, Captain Sneddon!

07/15/2026

Interested in a career in the fire service? Check out this article. This will give you some basic knowledge on what to expect.

– Talking to members of your local Fire Department can give you insight to what its like to be a Firefighter and they can tell you about the qualifications you need to get started. – Your local Firefighters can also help prepare you for what to expect with the testing process.

07/11/2026

Happy Birthday to Firefighter Robby Smith III

Today, Local 618 would like to wish Firefighter Robby Smith a very happy birthday!

Since joining the department in 2022, Robby has been a dedicated member of our team.

Please join us in wishing Firefighter Robby Smith a fantastic birthday.

Happy Birthday, Robby!

06/27/2026

This week, President Gelsinger, Vice President Orrill, and Secretary/Treasurer Shahan proudly represented Centralia Local 618 at the 45th Biannual Union Convention.

During the convention, we were honored to help re-elect District 3 Vice President Steve Perry and Southern Legislative Representative Brant Maine, continuing strong leadership that will advocate for firefighters across Illinois.

One of our biggest priorities remains fighting to improve Illinois Tier 2 Article 4 pensions. This issue impacts the future of the fire service, and we will continue working to ensure the next generation of firefighters receives the retirement security they deserve.

It’s important to remember that union work doesn’t stop when our shifts end. We attend conventions, meetings, and legislative events on our own personal time, without compensation, because we believe in serving our members and strengthening our profession.

Finally, we were grateful that our wives were able to join us for this trip. Their support, encouragement, and understanding make it possible for us to dedicate the time necessary to represent our membership, and we appreciate them more than they know.

Thank you to our members for trusting us to represent Centralia Local 618. We remain committed to working hard on your behalf.

06/20/2026

Happy Birthday to Lieutenant Drake Tate and Firefighter Brandon Beaver!

Today, the City of Centralia Fire Department is celebrating not one, but two birthdays! Lieutenant Drake Tate and Firefighter Brandon Beaver share the same birthday, making this day even more special.

Please join us in wishing both of these dedicated firefighters a very Happy Birthday!

We hope you both have a fantastic day surrounded by family, friends, and plenty of birthday cake!