Department History
The Flanagan-Graymont Fire Protection District was organized in May 1969. The first trustees were Delbert Augsburger, Harold Wiechmann and Vernell Drager. Roy Hasse was appointed as the first department chief. In July 1969 the Flanagan Voluntary Fire Association agreed to turn over its equipment to the fire protection district. The first budget appropriation of the district was $9,300 for the year.
In November 1970 the department purchased a used van to serve as an equipment truck. The vehicle was purchased with department and firemen funds.
In June of 1971 the board purchased a new Dodge chassis. Later that year a custom tank body was mounted on the truck. Total cost for the unit was approximately $11,000. This vehicle was used by the department until early 2005 when a 1998 Kenworth custom tanker was put into service.
During May, 1980 an election was held to determine if the fire district should provide ambulance service. The vote was 309 for, 27 against. The proposal passed.
In May of 1987 the department purchased an equipment truck for $32,250. This unit is still used by the department today.
Late in 1994 the board purchased a new Pierce engine/pumper for $128,000. This truck remains in service today and serves as the first out unit for certain types of calls.
The District applied for a State of Illinois revolving loan during 2004. Late that year the District was awarded an interest free loan of $250,000.00 for the purchase of two new trucks.
The District applied for a low interest loan from the USDA Rural Development division in December of 2004. The money would be used to build a new fire station. In the spring of 2005 the loan application was approved for $250,000. The District board started looking for a suitable building site. In the spring of 2006 a site was obtained through an agreement with the Village of Flanagan (located at 101 S Adams St). Building design plans were finalized during the summer of 2006 and an advertisement for bids went out in August of that year. The contract was awarded to Construction Dynamics of Bloomington. Ground was broken in November 2006 and construction begun. Though not complete, the district moved into the new building in June 2007. The building was completed in September 2007. Total amount of the loan was $300,000 with the rest of the money coming from donations and District funds.
During 2005 the District took delivery of a new 2005 Pierce engine/pumper on a Kenworth chassis for a cost of $217,000. Also that year a used 1998 Kenworth chassis was fitted with a Precision tank as a tanker/field fire unit for a cost of $85,000.
FEMA announced in September 2006 that the District was awarded a grant for $117,000 to purchase personal protective equipment for the fire fighters. New turnout gear, SCBAs (self contained breathing apparatus) and breathing air fill equipment was purchased with the grant.
December 2011 the District purchased a used 1997 IH rescue vehicle for $69,500. The truck is equipped with a 4 man cab, walk in compartment and PTO generator. The unit was placed into service March 2012 and the old 1987 equipment truck was retired.