Ottawa Fire Department

05/18/2026

Ottawa Fire members, present and past, gathered for our annual Firefighters Memorial this weekend.

The names of those that we’ve lost are read aloud, a wreath is hung in their honor and the bell is rung in remembrance.

This tradition serves as a reminder that the heart of service and commitment to our community spans generations. It’s also a time when retired members can share stories with those just starting their careers and the spirit of the fire service renews.

Thank you to everyone who helped bring this event together!

05/04/2026

Fire departments from Ottawa, Utica, Tonica, and Oglesby gathered for a rope rescue training on Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Wildcat Canyon at Starved Rock State Park. Firefighters train at the park each spring for real-life rescues. Wildcat Canyon has cliffs that are over 100 feet high, and it creates a real-life scenario environment for rescuers to practice.

05/01/2026

04/22/2026

Thanks to our friends at Reddick Public Library District for including us in their celebration of National Library Week!

04/21/2026

Please see the following press release for further information on today’s Industrial Fire/Hazmat Incident.

04/17/2026

Please join us in congratulating our newest IFSI Academy Graduates!

-Firefighter Lauren Bangert
-Firefighter Kennee Harris
-Firefighter Derrick Hobbs

Fire Academy is an arduous process but is crucial in building the skills and fortitude necessary to take on a career in the fire service. Congratulations on successfully completing this process! We look forward to your next steps integrating onto your respective shifts!

04/16/2026

Happy Telecommunicators Week to our friends at Ottawa Central Dispatch! With every call we respond to, they are on the other end of the line talking citizens through their emergency or facilitating crucial radio communications. Telecommunications is an invaluable facet of emergency services.
We appreciate all that you do!

We are proud to be celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week! The men and women pictured below are the voices you hear but the faces rarely seen. The work they do behind the scenes everyday is appreciated beyond words and does not go unnoticed! Happy TC Week and THANK YOU for all you do!

04/13/2026

In celebration of National Library Week, the Ottawa Fire Department will join us for a special all-ages Story Time and Touch-a-Truck event on Wednesday, April 22 @ 10:00-10:45am.

04/04/2026

Recently, the VFW Post 2470 of Ottawa recognized our very own Captain Kevin Theis as their Professional of the Year in 2026!

Captain Theis has been with the Ottawa Fire Department for 18 years and served in the U.S. Marine Corp for 4.5 years prior to that. He is currently a Captain on Shift 3 and the Public Education/Fire Prevention Coordinator for the department.

Thank you to the VFW Post and to Captain Theis for his dedication and hard work!