Fire Department

The Watseka Fire Department’s membership is comprised of men and women from Watseka and nearby areas, who choose to offer their time and effort, on a volunteer and paid-on-call basis, to provide protection for others.  The primary mission includes fire prevention, fire suppression, fire investigation, light and medium duty rescue, and supporting the community in times of natural and man-made disasters.

The Watseka Fire Department proudly protects approximately 5,500 people living in an area of 3 square miles.  The department operates out of 2 stations that protect residential, commercial, and industrial properties within the area.  The department works with local businesses to develop incident preplans for the respective business.  The department currently holds a Class 4 ISO rating.

The Fire Department offers a variety of other services.  Smoke detector inspections are preformed for new residents to make sure their new home is properly protected.  Carbon monoxide investigations are also handled when a detector has activated.  Our staff spends many hours with groups of all ages teaching them proper fire safety techniques.  Many of our younger residents have had the opportunity to see the fire trucks when they come to visit the schools, parks, and summer camps.

The Watseka Fire Department belongs to the following organizations:

• Illinois Fire Chief’s Association
• Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS)
• Eastern Illinois Mutual Aid Fire Association

WFD Picture for EMS

Front Row Left to Right:

Lt. Duane Brose, FF Tom Woodby, FF Ryan Burton, Lt. Tom Sandeno, Lt. Nick Brault, FF Jackie Lesage, Lt. Greg DeVries

2nd Row Left to Right:

FF Charles Jones, FF Dakota Schoeder, FF Shannon Woods

3rd Row:

Engineer Steve Yana

Not pictured, who are paramedics:

– Chief Ken Baier

– Deputy Chief Nick Peters

– Captain Jason Howe

– FF David Adkins

– FF Drew Douglas