Hickory Point Fire Protection District

05/29/2026

The application deadline for Hickory Point Fire is today at 5:30 pm. The written examination will take place tomorrow morning at the Forsyth Village Hall, with doors opening at 8:30 am and closing promptly at 9:00 am. We appreciate the interest shown by all applicants!

05/25/2026

05/20/2026

Hickory Point Fire Protection District is a combination department! That means our department operates successfully with a team of full-time, part-time, and volunteer members working together to serve our community.

We currently have openings for volunteers and are looking for dedicated individuals ready to make a difference.

Are you ready to give back to your community?
Stop by the station to learn more about joining our team!

05/17/2026

I’d like to thank MABAS Division 46 for inviting me to present a full day Building Comprehension for the Fire Service class today. The class was held at the Kenney, IL FD. We went through as much single family and multi family content as I could possibly fit into the day. We managed to cover lots of exterior pattern recognition, stairwell types and locations, using that understanding when applying specific tactics such as line lead outs, search patterns, laddering, etc . We also took an extensive look at balloon framing and some newer lightweight framing hazards. We examined quite a few specific single family house types and common apartment building and townhouse types.
I especially want to thank Harristown FPD Chief Mark Nixon for reaching out and working with me to put this together and also Kenney FD Chief John Wrage for hosting the class. We had a great group of people with lots of questions, discussion and enthusiasm. Last, but certainly not least, thanks to all of you that attended, including two that made the trip from Chicago for the day. We had members from the following Departments attending:

Harristown Fire Protection District

Hickory Point Fire Protection District

South Wheatland

Warrensburg Fire Protection District

Wapella Fire Department

Kenney Fire Department

Maroa Fire Department

Latham Volunteer Fire and Rescue

Lisbon Seward

Chicago

Thanks for letting me contribute this to your training program. Stay safe!

05/17/2026

Members of the Hickory Point Fire Protection District attended Building Comprehension For The Fire Service by Jeff Lattz today held at the Kenney Fire Department. Members from Harristown, Hickory Point Fire Protection District, South Wheatland, Maroa Fire Department, Latham Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Wapella Fire Department, Warrensburg Fire Protection District, Lisbon Seward and Chicago attended.
This class was a deep dive into building construction and how smoke and Fire can travel.

05/13/2026

Crews worked on skill development and trained with ground ladders tonight, instructed by Lt. Ashby. Ground ladders are one of the oldest and most fundamental tools used in the fire service.

05/12/2026

*Updated Hiring Information for HPFPD*

We have extended the application deadline to Friday May 29th at 5:30 pm.
The written examination will then be on Saturday May 30th at 9:00 am at the Forsyth Village Hall.

05/06/2026

The Maroa Fire Department was dispatched at 1:41 p.m. this afternoon to a reported barn fire on Wise Road.

Along with Maroa, departments from Argenta-Oreana Fire Department, Hickory Point Fire Protection District, Clinton Fire Department, and Kenney Fire Department were dispatched on the initial first alarm. Due to the volume of smoke visible from town and the rural location of the incident, Maroa Command requested a second alarm shortly after the initial dispatch. Maroa Engine 17, Tender 15, and Brush 16 responded.

Additional reports indicated that the residence may also be involved, and a third alarm was requested. The second and third alarms brought additional assistance from Warrensburg, Latham Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Cisco Fire Protection District, Wapella Fire Department, and Weldon Fire and Rescue.

Upon arrival, Maroa and Hickory Point personnel found a fully involved barn. Crews confirmed that the fire had not spread to the residence. A water supply was established, and firefighters brought the fire under control. All personnel cleared the scene at 4:04 p.m.

We thank all responding firefighters, Abbott EMS Decatur, IL, the Macon County Sheriff's Office, and the dispatchers at the dispatch center for their assistance and support.

We greatly appreciate all the help from everyone involved in today's fire!
Jamie Zombro, Chief
J.D Peasley, Assistant Chief
Tim Peasley, Assistant Chief

04/30/2026

Hickory Point Fire Protection District
Forsyth, Illinois

The Hickory Point Fire Protection District, located at 450 S. Smith Street in Forsyth, Illinois, is now accepting applications to establish an eligibility list for the position of Full-Time Firefighter/Paramedic or Firefighter/EMT. Candidates selected from the eligibility list will be considered for hire in late spring 2026.
Union: IAFF (Local 5519)

Application Deadline: Monday, May 18, 2026, at 1730 hrs.

The Hickory Point Fire Protection District is a combination department staffed by full-time personnel dedicated to providing comprehensive fire and emergency services. Our mission includes fire prevention and suppression, vehicle rescue operations, and both basic and advanced emergency medical services.
We are committed to delivering high-quality pre-hospital care and patient transport to the residents and visitors of Forsyth, as well as to the surrounding commercial district and neighboring communities.
Starting Hourly Pay: Paramedic: $25.00/hour and EMT: $22.00/hour

All applicants must meet the following minimum requirements established by the Hickory Point Fire Protection District Board of Trustees:
- Must be a United States citizen, have no felony convictions, no disqualifying misdemeanor convictions, and possess a valid driver’s license. (70 ILCS 705/16.06)
- Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
- Must be able to pass a background investigation.
- Must reside within 25 miles of the Hickory Point Fire Station at 450 S. Smith Street in Forsyth, unless approved by the Board of Trustees.
Must possess a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) card and approved Ladder Climb Card at the time of interview and at the time of conditional offer of employment. Cards must be issued
within one year of the interview date.
-Must successfully complete a written examination to be held at the Forsyth Village Hall (301 US-51 South, Forsyth, Illinois) on Saturday May 30th, 2026, at 9:00 am.
-Must be at least 21 years of age on the date of the written exam and under 35 years of age, unless exempted under State of Illinois Statute 70 ILCS 705 by the application deadline. Exemptions to
exceed the maximum age limit are allowed for military service and volunteer, paid-on-call, parttime, and full-time firefighters meeting certain conditions.
- Must possess a State of Illinois Paramedic or EMT license and meet EMS system requirements prior to employment.
- Must obtain Certified Basic Operations Firefighter certification within the first 12 months of employment.

To apply or obtain additional information, please visit the Hickory Point Fire Protection District and speak with Chief Matt Harding or Chief Corey Maloney, or call (217) 877-1398.

04/30/2026

Hickory Point Fire Protection District is now establishing an eligibility list for Firefighter-EMT or Firefighter-Medic.