La Grange Park Fire History

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La Grange Park Fire History

History of the La Grange Park Illinois Fire Department. Established February 8th, 1900

03/18/2025

March 18th, 1932 - 93 Years ago today, founding member Otto Degener died off-duty after his public works truck fell into the Novotny Quarry off 31st street and he drowned under the ice covered waters. Badge Number 8 was retired in his honor. In 2024, his badge was mounted in the fire house so that he is always remembered.
Excerpt from April 7th, 1932 Log Book Entry:
"On March 18th, 1932 the Dept lost a true and faithful member in Otto Degener, by drowning in Novotny Quarry in his regular discharge of his duties & the Dept. tenders the bereft wife & relatives our most sincere sympathy, it was then moved by Fred Liedtke seconded by Ed Bollnow to preserve #8 as a memory to Otto Degener."

03/03/2025

March Service Anniversaries of Retired and Honored Members

3/7/1963 - Firefighter Frederick L. Hunkeler (Service: 1963 - 1965)
3/2/1967 - Firefighter Joseph Ourada, Badge 123 (Service: 1967 - 1986)
3/16/1998 - Firefighter/EMT John Ryan, Badge 137 (Service: 1998 - 2011)
3/16/1998 - Lieutenant/EMT Christopher Psenicka Sr., Badge 126/1283 (Service: 1998 - 2015)

02/28/2025

Year One of the La Grange Park Fire Department

February 8th, 1900
The village formally recognized the prior existing La Grange Park Fire Company #1, established, and provided funding to them as the Village Fire Department. 14 residents volunteered to provide fire protection for the village. The department members all met at the village hall and appointed Alphonso Kemman Sr. as the first Fire Chief and Harry Wright as his Captain. The department was outfitted with a hose cart stored at Chief Kemman’s barn at 329 5th Ave. In their first year of service, they responded to a barn fire and a house fire. To raise funds for uniforms and badges, the department threw its 1st Annual Picnic in September. The captain and three other men refused to attend the picnic and were thus not given uniforms. Soon afterwards, the two iconic photos taken showing the 10 members with uniforms posed in front of Chief Kemman’s estate. Plans were drafted to build a fire hall on the village hall property to store the hose cart, hang hose, and utilize a bell atop to alert the volunteers for calls. In early 1901, Captain Wright and his son submitted their resignation, most likely stemming from the Picnic incident. After 1901, Log book records were lost for almost 10 years leaving much of the early years unknown.

02/25/2025

On this day in 1930, Elmer "Hooks" Kemman Badge 1, was named the 4th Chief of the La Grange Park Fire Department!
Elmer joined the Department in 1908 after his father, Chief A.H. Kemman Sr. retired. During his tenure he worked at Electro-Motive Corp in La Grange and served as a village trustee.
He was named Chief in 1930 and during his tenure, he made several attempts to bond funding for a proper firehouse instead of the cramped Village Hall Garage. The Village voted against the $3,000 to $6,000 Bonds due to the state of the economy. Elmer served as Chief for Seven years before stepping down to the rank of firefighter in 1937 to join the Village Fire Committee where he served as chairman till 1942 and helped finally approve the bond for the first Fire House built in 1941.
He retired from the Fire Dept on January 3rd 1946 after 38 years of dedicated service.

02/24/2025

Celebrating 125 years, enjoy La Grange Park Fire Department by the decade. Each photo showcases the members, uniforms, apparatus, and stations through the years. Read the individual photo captions for additional information.

02/20/2025

We are proud to announce, we have redesigned our display boards as Retired & Honored Members boards. They now display all Retired & Honored members past and present! Previous, the board was reserved only for those who have passed away after retirement.

With the recent retirement of Firefighter/EMT Michael Hughes, he became the first to officially pin his badge on the board. A tradition we hope to continue for future retiring members. We hope to invite active retirees to pin their badges in the future.

The memorial boards were first started by Firefighter Birt Pauli in the 1950s and were updated by Firefighter/EMT Tom Norvilas in the 2010s.

Retirement from La Grange Park Fire Department is granted after 20 years of service or after 10 years of service if the member must retire due to injury or age limit.
Honored members are those who passed while on the department, on or off duty.

02/18/2025

Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the La Grange Park Fire Department, we present short biographies on the 14 founding members! Scroll through each individual photo description for each members biography.

Alphonso Henry Kemman Sr.
Fire Marshal / Fire Chief – Badge 1
Service: 1892 – 1908
329 N. La Grange Rd – Farmer, Village Trustee
Father to Pipeman Clarence Kemman; other sons Elmer, Alphonso Jr., Herbert also served.
April 29th,1858 – November 29th, 1944

Harry Wright
Fire Captain
Service: 1900 – 1901
620 N Catherine Ave – Painter, Village Police Marshal in 1900
Refused to go to dept Picnic & Resigned. No Picture
Father to member James Wright, son Harry Wright Jr. also served
1857 – May 3rd,1905

George Wesley Gale
Pipeman / Secretary – Badge 4
Service: 1900 – 1930
626 N Catherine Ave – Deputy Police Marshal, Burlington Railroad Clerk
Promoted to Chief 1923, purchased first Motorized Fire Engine. Retired 1930
July 16th, 1879 – July 14th, 1950

Herman Diedrichsen
Pipeman – Badge 6
Service: 1900 – 1944
Deputy Police Marshal, Born in Germany
Promoted to Assistant Chief in 1925, Oldest fireman ever retired at 76 years old
Son Irvin also served as Assistant Chief
December 10th, 1868 – August 16th, 1964

Alfred “Ollie” H. Degener
Pipeman – Badge 5
Service: 1900 – 1952
636 N. Waiola Ave – Deputy Police Marshal, Carpenter, worked at Diamond T manufacturing
Promoted to Assistant Chief in 1933, longest serving fireman ever retiring with 52 years of service
Brother to Axeman Otto Degener, brother Arthur Degener also served
January 5th, 1877 – September 15th, 1969

Erath Axel Wallen
Member – Badge 10
Service: 1900 – 1901
Promoted to Pipeman 1901, First Honored member of the department
Brother to Nozzlemen Albert & Gustav Wallen, Cousin Charles Wallen also served
October 18th, 1876 – October 15th, 1901

Otto Degener
Axeman – Badge 8
Service: 1900 – 1932
505 N. La Grange Rd – Longtime Public works employee
Died after his Public works truck fell into local quarry, and he drowned under the ice
Badge Number 8 retired in honor of his service
March 25th, 1879 – March 18th, 1932

Clarence Kemman
Member – Badge 9
Service: 1900 – 1907
329 N. La Grange Rd – Farmer
Promoted to Pipeman 1901, youngest fireman ever; hired at 15 years old
February 13th, 1885 – August 19th, 1958

Henry C. Wesemann
Nozzleman – Badge 2
Service: 1900 – 1901?
243 5th Ave – Farmer, Milk Trader, Streetcar operator, Police Marshal 1903 – 1907
Brother to Pipeman Louis Wesemann
August 2nd, 1877 – November 24th, 1934

Louis H. Wesemann
Pipeman – Badge 7
Service: 1900 – 1905?
243 5th Ave – Farmer, died of skin infection
Brother to Nozzleman Henry Wesemann
April 3rd, 1873 – December 4th, 1905

Herman Jeschke
Nozzleman – Badge 3
Service: 1900 – 1901?
329 N. La Grange Rd – House Boarder and Farmhand for Alphonso Kemman Sr.
Born 1877, unknown date of passing

Gustav Wallen
Nozzleman
Service: 1900 – 1901?
Refused to go to dept picnic, no photo taken
Brother to Nozzlemen Albert & Erath Wallen, Cousin Charles Wallen also served
Born 1869 – May 4th, 1923

Albert C. Wallen
Nozzleman
Service: 1900 – 1902
Refused to go to dept picnic, no photo taken. Assistant Police Marshal
Brother to Nozzlemen Gustav & Erath Wallen, Cousin Charles Wallen also served
May 29th, 1874 – March 15th, 1945

James Wright
Member
Service: 1900 – 1901
Refused to go to dept picnic & resigned, no photo taken.
Son of Captain Wright. Brother Harry Wright Jr. also served
Born 1883, unknown date of passing

02/10/2025

Our former 1966 American LaFrance Engine 322 is on the move once again currently for sale for $2,000 by corywheatcustoms out of Mitchell Indiana. We'll try to keep track and provide updates to its future travels. Stay tuned

Click the links if interested
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091455387160
https://www.instagram.com/corywheatcustoms/
https://www.corywheatcustoms.com/

02/08/2025

125 Years ago today, The Village of La Grange Park formally established their Fire Department, incorporating the Volunteer Fire Co. #1 which had operated independently since La Grange Park's Incorporation in 1892. 14 citizens of La Grange Park agreed to render service shall the need arise, day or night.

At the time of establishment, the department operated one Hose Cart pulled by Horses out of Fire Marshal Alphonso H. Kemman's Barn at 339 N. La Grange Rd. (Now Plymouth Place). Their equipment in 1900 consisted of 600ft of hose, 2 nozzles, 3 spanners, 1 Pike Pole, 12 Rubber Coats, a 36ft extension ladder and, a 12ft ladder. Each member paid 50 cents for a Badge made of German Silver & Nickle Plated.

In their first year of operation, the department fought two fires: the first being George Hoover's Barn at Ashland & Richmond Ave. on September 9th and the second being Pete Swanson's House off Kensington Ave. on October 15th. The first Annual Picnic was held on September 9th, the proceeds of which funded Dress Uniforms for the 10 members who participated. During the first year, the Department asked the Village for a transport wagon for hose and a fire tower with a Bell which was built in the rear of the Village Hall lot in 1901 to house the Hose Cart.

In 125 years, La Grange Park Fire Department has been led by 9 Chiefs, served by 300+ members, operated 5+ non-motorized & 14 motorized fire apparatus located out of 7 different barns/garages/fire stations.

Founding Roster:
#1 Marshal Alphonso H. Kemman Sr. (1892-1908)
Captain Harry Wright (1900-1901)
#3 Nozzleman Herman H. Jeschke (1900-unk?)
Nozzleman Gustav Wallen (1900-unk?)
#2 Nozzleman Henry C. Wesemann (1900-unk?)
Nozzleman Albert C. Wallen (1900-1902)
#8 Axeman Otto Degener (1900-1932)
#4 Pipeman George Wesley Gale (1900-1930)
#5 Pipeman Alfred "Ollie" H. Degener (1900-1952)
#7 Pipeman Louis H. Wesemann (1900-1905)
#6 Pipeman Herman Diedrichsen (1900-1944)
#9 Clarence Kemman (1900-1907)
#10 Axel Erath Wallen (1900-1901)
James Wright (1900-1901)

02/07/2025

We’d like to congratulate Firefighter / EMT Michael "Papa" Hughes – Badge 121 on his retirement from the La Grange Park Fire Department after 10 years of service.

Mike did not start his firefighting tenure as a young man but always has the most energy, enthusiasm, and athleticism in the room. During his time with the department, he maintained exceptional attendance to calls and drills along with always making time to learn and improve his skills through training opportunities offered outside the department such as Division 10 Live Fire Training and IFSI Fire College. What made Mike stand out was his mentorship to all new members, aiding many of them through fire academy, EMS, and probation. He became a "fire-father" like figure to many new firefighters, hence his nickname "Papa". Throughout the years, various members of the department have dressed up as Santa for our Christmas parties, but no one ever did as exceptional of a job as Mike. Every year, Mike and after enough convincing, his wife Starla, both donned the Mr. & Mrs. Clause attire and brought joy to all the children of the department's firefighters. Mike's retirement leaves a big hole for our department of an overwhelming dedicated member but more importantly a mentor and friend to all of us.

We wish him nothing but the best, enjoy retirement Papa Hughes!
Service: January 7th, 2015 - February 7th, 2025

02/03/2025

February Service Anniversaries of Retired and Honored Members

2/8/1900 - Fire Chief George Wesley Gale, Badge 4 (Service: 1900 - 1930)
2/8/1900 - Assistant Chief Herman Diedrichsen, Badge 6 (Service: 1900 - 1944)
2/8/1900 - Assistant Chief Alfred "Ollie" H. Degener, Badge 5/10 (Service: 1900 - 1952)
2/8/1900 - Pipeman Erath Axel Wallen, Badge 10 (Service: 1900 - 1901)
2/8/1900 - Firefighter Otto Degener, Badge 8 (Service: 1900 - 1932)
2/3/1926 - Fire Chief Frederick William Liedtke, Badge 14/101 (Service: 1926 - 1962)
2/13/1941 - Assistant Chief Irwin H. Diedrichsen, Badge 102 (Service: 1941 - 1962)
2/13/1947 - Firefighter James T. Milligan, Badge 8/108 (Service: 1947 - 1961)
2/6/1964 - Deputy Chief/EMT George R. Kolar, Badge 121 (Service: 1964 - 1990)
2/6/1964 - Firefighter Raymond E. Hybl, Badge 128 (Service: 1964 - 1983)
2/7/1974 - Lieutenant/EMT James Warkentien, Badge 124 (Service: 1974 - 1995)
2/3/1977 - Firefighter Robert "bobby" Mahn Jr., Badge 135 (Service: 1977-1995, 1998-2005)
2/17/1983 - Firefighter Victor Martinka, Badge 130 (Service: 1963-1966, 1983-2002)

02/01/2025

Please join La Grange Park Fire Department in celebrating the career and retirement of Firefighter / EMT Michael Hughes. Next Friday February 7th, Fire Station 1 - 447 N. Catherine, La Grange Park.

01/31/2025

Stay tuned to the page for upcoming news and events....

Next month will mark 125 years of The La Grange Park Fire Department! We have been hard at work planning several celebratory events that will take place throughout the year that we are excited to share with you all soon!

As always, thanks for following and supporting the page!

01/08/2025

January 8th marks 129 years since a pivotal event in the formal establishment of the Village Fire Department. Fire Marshal Alphonso Kemman Sr. was the victim of a devastating barn fire that contained much of the Village's future Lead Water Main Pipes waiting to be installed. The La Grange Park Fire Co. #1 responded, but because of their lack of supplies, could not save the barn from burning to the ground. Many consider this event, one of the leading factors towards the Village formally establishing the La Grange Park Fire Department four years later after agreeing to supply and pay the Volunteer La Grange Park Fire Co. #1 which had operated since the Village founding in 1892. Attached are photos of the Kemman Farm, Articles about the Fire, and a Map of the 1909 Layout of the Kemman Farm today.

01/03/2025

January Service Anniversaries of Retired and Honored Members

1/4/1945 - Lieutenant Edward Vanicek, Badge 17/107 (Service: 1945 - 1963)
1/26/1950 - Lieutenant John F. Trippel, Badge 118 (Service: 1950 - 1965)
1/1951 - Assistant Chief Edward F. Haase, Badge 121/102 (Service: 1951 - 1978)
1/6/1972 - Captain William Becker Jr., Badge 112 (Service: 1972 - 1994)
1/1981 - Firefighter/EMT Arthur Schuett, Badge 118 (Service: 1981 - 1995)
1/4/1999 - Firefighter/EMT Joseph F. Palicka, Badge 109 (Service: 1999 - 2021)

01/01/2025

On January 1, 1981, the LaGrange/LaGrange Park paramedic unit (Ambulance 426) becomes operational. Both Villages now have paramedic level ambulance service. This program is one of the first joint ventures in the State. Paramedic oversite was under the Loyola Hospital EMS System.

The Village’s contract to Superior Ambulance Service in Elmhurst to provide 6 certified paramedics (2 per day, 24/48 work shift) and a fully equipped paramedic ambulance to service LaGrange and LaGrange Park. The original 6 paramedics were Barbara Pearson, Barbara Creen, Karen Bittner, David Laurich, Mark Stecks, and Joseph Grandolfo.

Operating out of the LaGrange fire station, when an ambulance call is dispatched, the paramedic ambulance responded along with the EMT unit from the affected town. If the paramedics were needed to transport the patient, they would. If the paramedics were not needed to transport, the EMT unit would transport. This left the paramedics available for other calls. In their first month, the paramedics responded to over 90 ambulance calls.

12/31/2024

Enjoy the New Year with good friends!

Dick Bambach, Bob Hafer, Jimmy Campbell Sr., Emil Talla, Wally Niedzieko, Ron Sramek, Charlie Nemecek.

12/25/2024

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Chief Gil Welch, Mother Walburga, Retired Chief Fred Liedtke, Firefighter Charlie Lozar as Santa!
Sisters of Saint Joseph

Address

447 N. Catherine Avenue
La Grange Park, IL
60526

Website

https://www.facebook.com/La-Grange-Park-Fire-History-112861737019765/

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History of the La Grange Park Fire Department

In the early days of La Grange Park (est 1892), one of the town founders; A.H. Kemman organized a group of farmhands to provide fire protection to the locals of the newly established village. They operated a small wooden fire hose cart out of one of Kemman’s barns, which the department still has possession of to this day. In the same year of 1897, a hay barn on the Kemman farm that contained water mains for the village made of lead caught fire and burned to the ground. It was that event that sparked A.H. Kemman to form the Village’s Fire Department on February 8th of 1900. They operated out of Kemman’s barn in the beginning with 10 Volunteers, eventually moving to the Village Hall. Throughout the years, La Grange Park FD has provided 24 hour fire protection to the residents of La Grange Park as well as surrounding communities as a paid-on-call/combination fire department operating out of two stations now with 4 fire apparatus and 2 ambulances, operated by our 50 certified firefighter/emts. Much of it’s history is scarce and unknown; our goal is to educate the public through research and collaboration. Stay tuned as we digitize historic photos, videos, and newspapers! Thank you.