Mattoon Firefighters #691

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

05/14/2026

Mattoon Fire Department

On Wednesday 5/13/2026, the Mattoon Fire Department was dispatched to the 1300 block of Lafayette for a possible structure fire with occupants still inside the apartment at 3:33 P.M. Crews arrived on scene at 3:35 P.M. and found a 2.5 story duplex located at 1304 Lafayette with fire and smoke showing from the back of this unit. Crews deployed a handline and began extinguishing the fire, while 2 additional crews began a primary search of both units. Bystanders were assisting an elderly female evacuate her apartment on our arrival.

The fire was under control at 3:56 P.M, as crews began checking for fire extension and tending to hot spots. Thanks to the bystanders, no injuries were reported at this fire as they were able to notify and assist the occupants out of the residents.

These two apartments are considered uninhabitable due to this fire. The 6 occupants that were displaced are being assisted by the Red Cross.

Fire department investigators then began a cause and origin investigation. This fire is still currently under investigation. All fire units cleared the scene at 6:14 P.M.

The Mattoon Fire Department was assisted at this fire by: Coles/Moultrie 911 (Cecom), Mattoon Police, Charleston Fire, Mattoon Public works, Ameren gas and electric, American Red Cross.

Jeff Hilligoss
Fire Chief

05/13/2026

Mark your calendars for June 6th

05/07/2026

05/04/2026

Join us in congratulating Jackson Spurgeon of the Mattoon Illinois Fire Department on successfully passing the fire academy! Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving the community have paid off.

He still has a few weeks of various classes ahead of him but he will be back here serving Mattoon very soon!

04/23/2026

Arff training at station one this week!

03/29/2026

On this date 60 years ago, it was one of the darkest and hardest days for the Mattoon Fire Department, as well as for the City of Mattoon and its residents. Tuesday March 29, 1966, Mattoon firefighters were responding to an alarm, while responding, two of the firetrucks met at the intersection of 15th and Broadway and collided. This accident caused the first, and to this day, the only Line Of Duty Death (LODD) in department history. Robert (Bob) Demars was fatally injured in this accident, while 3 other firefighters were injured, with one of the firefighters, Dean Elder, unable to return to work following the accident due to the injuries that he sustained.

The family of Dean Elder has graciously presented color pictures that have been transcribed onto a piece of metal that the fire department plans to include into the memorial that is located at the intersection of 15th and Broadway later this year.

A full presentation and recognition of the firefighters that were involved in this horrific accident will take place once the memorial is completed.

Today we remember the ultimate sacrifice that Bob Demars made for our community, and those firefighters that were deeply affected by this tragic accident.

Jeff Hilligoss
Fire Chief

03/16/2026

🚨Press release from structure fire on 3/16/26🚨