Dekalb works toward creating a fire museum

Excerpts from NorthernStar.info:

A local initiative is taking shape in DeKalb as a community-driven foundation aims to establish a museum dedicated to preserving the rich history of the DeKalb Fire Department. Some of the items they hope to display date back nearly 150 years, to the department’s founding in 1869.

The DeKalb Firefighters Historical Foundation was launched four years ago with the goal of safeguarding the legacy of the fire department and its deep ties to DeKalb and Northern Illinois University. Patrick Eriksen, a firefighter and paramedic with the department, explained that the foundation and the museum idea were developed together.

“We’re getting close to our 150th anniversary, and we’ve collected a wide range of artifacts,” Eriksen said. “From old fire trucks and equipment to small items like historic badges, there's a lot to showcase.”

Originally formed as a volunteer force, the DeKalb Fire Department transitioned into a full-time department in 1904. Among their most treasured items is a vintage dispatch board—a rare piece of firefighting history that uses levers to produce a ticker tape showing emergency addresses. According to Eriksen, only two such boards remain in the entire country.

“It’s really meaningful for me to carry on this tradition in a place I've always wanted to be involved with,” he added. “This project is more than just about history—it's about community and pride.”

The foundation is currently in discussions with the city about a potential location for the museum, though the specific property cannot be disclosed at this time, according to Lieutenant Todd Stoffa, who leads the foundation.

“We're looking at several options to move forward with the building,” Stoffa said. “Every step is important to ensure the museum can serve the public for years to come.”

To help fund the project, the DeKalb Fire Department will host its fourth Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday. The event, which runs from 8 a.m. to noon at Station 1 on Pine Street, will cost $5 for adults, $3 for children aged 4 to 10, and free for those under 4. Tickets will be sold on-site.

All proceeds will go toward acquiring a building for the museum, as well as ongoing maintenance and development through the historical foundation. “Once we get past this phase, we’ll have more flexibility to use the funds for other needs,” Eriksen said.

In addition to the breakfast, the event will feature an open house tour of the station, an inflatable bounce house, and a smoke trailer to promote fire safety during Fire Prevention Month. It’s a family-friendly event designed to bring the community together while supporting an important cause.

For more details, contact Adam Miller at 815-748-8649.

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