Dekalb works toward creating a fire museum

Excerpts from NorthernStar.info:

A local initiative is taking shape as a foundation in DeKalb aims to establish a museum dedicated to preserving the rich history of the DeKalb Fire Department. Some of the artifacts that will be housed there date back nearly 150 years, offering a glimpse into the department’s long and storied past.

The DeKalb Firefighters Historical Foundation, founded four years ago, has been working tirelessly to protect the legacy of the fire department and its deep ties to the community and Northern Illinois University. According to Patrick Eriksen, a firefighter and paramedic with the department, the foundation and the museum concept have grown together over time.

“We’re approaching our 150th anniversary, and we’ve collected a vast collection of items,” Eriksen explained. “From large pieces like old fire trucks and equipment to small items like vintage badges, everything tells a story.”

The DeKalb Fire Department started as a volunteer organization in 1869 and transitioned to a full-time department in 1904. One of the most unique items in their collection is a rare vintage dispatch board, which uses levers to produce a ticker tape that once helped identify emergency locations. Eriksen noted that only two such boards remain in the country.

“It’s really meaningful for me to carry on this tradition in a place I’ve always wanted to be involved with,” he said. “This project feels very personal and special to me.”

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. The team is exploring several options to move forward with the project.

To help fund the museum, the fire department will host its fourth Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to noon at Station 1, located at 700 Pine Street. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children aged 4 to 10, and free for those under 4. Tickets will be sold on-site.

All proceeds from the breakfast will go toward purchasing the building for the museum, as well as funding its ongoing maintenance and operations through the historical foundation. Eriksen hopes that once the museum is established, additional funds could be used for educational programs or other community initiatives.

In addition to the pancake breakfast, the event will feature an open house tour of the station, an inflatable jump house for kids, and a smoke trailer to raise awareness about fire safety during Fire Prevention Month. It promises to be a family-friendly day filled with fun and education.

For more information about the event, contact Adam Miller at 815-748-8649.

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