Tonica Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance

06/06/2026

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced recently the recipients of the 2026 Small Equipment Grant Program. Tonica Volunteer Fire Department was awarded $18,000 in grant money.

With this grant money, we will be purchasing a gear extractor washing machine and PPE gear dryer. The gear extractor an industrial-strength washing machine specifically designed to decontaminate firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE). It utilizes calibrated wash cycles, high G-force centrifugal spinning, and precise chemical injection to extract dangerous carcinogens, debris, and hazardous residues without damaging specialized protective fabrics of the PPE and eliminates the spread of potentially life-threatening contaminants.

Then the dryer will allow the PPE to dry in just several hours instead of a day or two, allowing the PPE to be ready for use ensuring a quick turnaround, it helps destroy bacteria, fungi, and dangerous pathogens, prevents foul odors, which protects users from skin conditions or infections, and safeguarding the integrity and effectiveness of their gear.

With this purchase, it will enhance the protection we provide to our own personnel, and help take care of our PPE so that we can continue to keep our gear in service for years to come.

We would like to thank the Illinois State Fire Marshal for selecting us as recipient to their grant. Grants like this is what helps us off set costs of purchasing new equipment.

We are excited to announce the recipients of the FY-26 Small Equipment Grant. A total of $6 million was awarded to 260 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state.

Visit this link for a complete list of recipients: https://sfm.illinois.gov/currentfocus/smallequipmentgrantrecipientsannouncement-fy26.html

06/05/2026

*** WE HAVE LESS THAN 20 TICKETS LEFT ***

If you have not obtained your ticket to the Tonica Fire Drawdown, tomorrow is your chance. They will be readily available tomorrow during the day. All you have to do is comment on this post and we will reach out to you to make the arrangements!

Its June 13th and the cost is $70
In return you get a STEAK dinner for two, and a chance to win $1000 dollars among other cash and prizes!

06/04/2026

06/01/2026

103.9 WLPO
1430 WCMY
La Salle NewsTribune
99.3 WAJK
WALLS 102
96.5 The Wolf
The Times Newspaper

05/26/2026

🚨 The Drawdown is coming up fast! 🚨

Don’t miss out on a great night supporting your local firefighters and EMS. Reach out to any Tonica Volunteer Fire Department member to get your ticket before they’re gone! 🔥🎟️

05/22/2026

During EMS Week, the Tonica Volunteer Fire Department would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community for your unwavering support of the Tonica Ambulance over the last 50 years. Since the 1960s Tonica Fire has been providing medical aid to its citizens. In 1975, Tonica Ambulance was established without the use of tax money and has proudly continued providing emergency medical services to our community, and none of it would have been possible without the support of the people we serve. Even to this day, we are still NOT TAX SUPPORTED.

Over the last five decades, countless dedicated individuals have answered the call to serve as EMTs for our department. Their commitment, compassion, and sacrifice have made a lasting impact on our community, and we are forever grateful for each and every one of them. During EMS Week, we especially recognize and thank all past EMTs who helped build and sustain this service throughout the years.

We also want to recognize and thank our current EMTs and First Responders. Your dedication, professionalism, and willingness to respond at all hours of the day and night do not go unnoticed. We are privileged to have such devoted members serving our community, and we cannot thank you enough for the time and commitment you give to this service.

A special thank you also goes out to the families of our EMTs and First Responders. Thank you for supporting your loved ones and allowing them to answer the call when members of our community are in need. Your sacrifice and understanding play a vital role in making this service possible.

As we celebrate EMS Week and reflect on the past 50 years of service, we remain proud to continue serving the Tonica community and look forward to many more years ahead.

If anyone is interested in becoming an EMT, First Responder, and/or firefighter with the Tonica Volunteer Fire Department, please reach out to us!

(Sorry if this post seems like déjà vu if you liked our post once already. We reposted because we wanted to add one more picture and some more information. 😂)

05/20/2026

🚒🛠️ So if you happen to drive by the station and notice a completely tore up car sitting in the parking lot… don’t worry 😂 We promise it’s there on purpose!

This month TVFD completed auto extrication training. Training like this helps our firefighters sharpen their skills and newer firefighters learn new skills, so we’re ready when seconds matter most.

05/13/2026

🚨 Attention Tonica Community! 🚨

No, LaSalle Street won’t be under attack at 5:00 PM… those sirens you hear will be for our Tonica/Lostant Track & Field athletes getting the ultimate small-town celebrity es**rt on their way to the State Tournament in East Peoria! 🚒🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Come pack LaSalle Street around 5:00 PM to help us send these athletes off in style and wish them GOOD LUCK at state! Bring your cheers, school spirit, and maybe prepare for a little temporary traffic jam caused by greatness. 😉

Let’s show our athletes how proud we are of all their hard work and accomplishments. Good luck at State — we’ll be cheering loud enough for you to hear us all the way there! 💚💙💛

05/04/2026

Recess is for Rookies… Class is in Session 🚒😄

On Thursday, you may have noticed that members of the Tonica Fire Department spent time training at the Tonica Grade School, brushing up on essential skills to better serve our community.

Crews focused on pumping operations, rural water supply techniques, and hose line advancement. Regular training like this helps ensure we’re ready to respond quickly and effectively when it matters most.

Thank you to our dedicated volunteers for putting in the time and effort to stay prepared. 🚒💪

04/17/2026

Huge shoutout to one of our own, Cody Anderson! He attended Illinois Fire Service Institute in Champaign taking the Basic Firefighter Academy for the last 6 weeks. It’s a rigorous course that covers all the skillsets that he needs to be a great firefighter for LaSalle Fire Department.

Congrats to Cody and we’re glad to have you back home!