Lincoln Fire Protection District

06/19/2026

If you see any hydrants in the district that need to be cleared, please give us a hand and keep them accessible. If you are unable to send us a message, we can get someone out to make sure they are cleared. If you need assistance with food, there are resources available in Charleston from several community partners. Please visit www.charlestonillinois.org/storm for the most up-to-date information on food distribution times and locations.

Please do not block fire hydrants with limbs you are placing on the blouvard for a future pick up, and leave some space (at least 3ft) around them as you create a pile. We need to access them in an emergency, and city crews will need limbs and vegetation debris far enough away from the hydrants to facilitate the pickup with their equipment.
Additional updates and information from the City of Charleston can be found at www.charlestonillinois.org/storm

06/18/2026

There is significant damage in several areas of our district. Please treat all downed power lines as if they are live. Just because you don’t have power or they aren’t arcing doesn’t mean they won’t energize or have some power running through them. If you have a generator please make sure you have the proper transfer switch installed or are plugging your appliances directly into your generator to prevent back feeding the grid and putting the utility workers at risk.

We had eleven pieces of equipment out immediately following the storm to serve our community and continue to respond to calls as needed. Thank you to our volunteers who answered the call, many of them leaving their own homes damaged by the storms. If you have an emergency please call 911. Thank you to the utility workers out cleaning up and working hard to restore power.

Pictured is a downed tree and power line on the eastern side of our district.

06/18/2026

‼️There is significant damage and road blockage throughout Coles County and more storms coming. PLEASE STAY OFF THE ROADS so emergency crews can help everyone in need. ‼️

06/17/2026

⚠️ SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY REMINDER ⚠️

As cleanup continues following recent storms, METCAD 9-1-1 asks residents to help keep emergency lines available for true emergencies.

📞 CALL 9-1-1 ONLY IF:
✅ A power line is arcing, sparking, or actively causing a hazard.
✅ A downed tree or power line has struck a home or other structure.
✅ There is an immediate threat to life or safety.

🚫 DO NOT CALL 9-1-1 FOR:
❌ Downed trees that are not creating an emergency hazard.
❌ Power outages.
❌ Downed power lines that are not arcing and have not impacted a structure.
❌ Tree debris in roadways or yards.

⚡ To report power outages or downed power lines, contact Ameren at 1-800-755-5000.

🌪 WHEN OUTDOOR WARNING SIRENS SOUND:
• Go indoors immediately.
• Seek shelter in a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor.
• Stay away from windows.
• Monitor local media, weather apps, or NOAA Weather Radio for additional information.

🛑 Remember: Outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert people who are OUTDOORS. They are not intended to be heard inside every home or building.

🏠 Be prepared before severe weather strikes:
• Know where you will take shelter.
• Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.
• Create a family emergency plan.
• Keep an emergency kit with essential supplies.

Thank you for helping keep 9-1-1 available for those experiencing life-threatening emergencies.

06/17/2026

‼️There is a chance of significant weather today. Please be mindful of the warnings and alerts shared by the National Weather Service, and should any damage occur, watch out for downed power lines and assume all downed lines are electrified.‼️

06/05/2026

We received an IDNR grant of $8,000 to help us complete our digital radio upgrade.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources awarded $495,000 in federal grants to 73 volunteer fire departments across the state.

05/26/2026

🚨🚨The Lincoln Fire Protection District is excited to announce that we will be receiving $26,000 from the Office of State Fire Marshall’s Small Equipment Grant, this will be used to replace our Cascade Compressor that is used to fill our SCBAs. Thanks again for these grant to support our volunteers. 🚨🚨

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

05/20/2026

Mattoon Fire Department

At Tuesday night’s council meeting, several area first responders were recognized for their actions and their exceptional lifesaving efforts at a medical call on April 3, 2026, at the Stadium Grill 102 Dettro Drive. Several first responders from different agencies worked flawlessly together to save the life of a man who went into cardiac arrest.

The awards were presented by EMS Coordinator Mike Schwenke, and Paramedic instructor Lucas Ruholl. Assisting with the presentation of the awards was C**t Buckles, the man who went into cardiac arrest and was saved by the collaborative efforts of these first responders.

Presented with Awards and agency were:

Samantha Renfro- dispatcher Coles/Moultrie 911
Ryan Berkheimer- Charleston Fire Assistant Chief- off duty eating at the Stadium
Cody Lee- Illinois State Police Trooper- off duty eating at the Stadium
Jacob Matthews- Mattoon Firefighter/Paramedic
Jed Jones- Mattoon Firefighter/EMT
Barry Pullen- Mattoon Fire Captain/Paramedic
Zack Dye- Mattoon Fire Engineer/Paramedic
Aaron Creel- Mitchell-Jerdan Paramedic
Tasha Brown- Mitchell-Jerdan EMT

It was an honor to present this story to the members of the Mattoon City Council and recognize the outstanding professionalism of these individuals. What made this night even more special was having the cardiac arrest survivor C**t Buckles present to assist in presenting these awards.

Jeff Hilligoss
Fire Chief