The St. Charles Fire Department will be conducting a water flow test at 316 Cedar Street on Thursday, June 18, 2020. The test will begin at approximately 09:00 AM. and finish by 10:00 A.M. the same day. Residents may experience rust in the water during or immediately after the testing procedure. The water is safe; however you may want to refrain from doing laundry until the water is clear.
Due to an overwhelming response from the community, the St. Charles Police and Fire Departments can no longer participate in birthday parades for community members.
Lt. David Chmelar and Firefighter/Paramedic Chad Tinsley of the St. Charles Fire Department have been honored as 2020 Everyday Extraordinary Firefighter Heroes by the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois. Each year, the organization honors individuals for acts of bravery, dedication, and service to the community.
Scott Swanson will be appointed Fire Chief of the St.
At 7:34 a.m. Nov. 15, 2019, the St. Charles Fire Department was dispatched to 803 State Street for an unknown fire situation. Firefighters were on the scene by 7:37 a.m. and found light smoke coming from the garage area of the house. A fire in a trailer was located within the garage at that address. Firefighters were able to confine the fire to the garage and then extinguish the involved trailer. The structure was checked for any fire extension and the smoke was ventilated from the building. Firefighters removed the trailer from the garage and cleared the scene just after 10:00 am.
At 8:34 p.m. on Oct. 21, the St. Charles Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a kitchen fire at 1907 Moore Avenue. Firefighters were on the scene by 8:39 p.m. and found light smoke in the house. A fire was located in the kitchen and firefighters were able to confirm the fire was extinguished within 10 minutes of arrival. Firefighters then checked for any fire extension, remaining on the scene until 9:53 p.m. to provide ventilation of the smoke and complete the fire investigation.
At 3:19 p.m. Sept. 20, 2019, the St. Charles Fire Department was dispatched to an activated fire alarm at 1 Illinois Street. Firefighters were on the scene in three minutes and, upon arrival, found a grease fire at the Eden on the River restaurant. A sprinkler head had activated and ultimately extinguished the fire however, smoke had spread through both floors of the structure. The alarm was upgraded upon arrival and the structure was checked for fire extension.
Fire Chief Joseph Schelstreet has announced his retirement from the St. Charles Fire Department, effective Oct. 4, 2019. Schelstreet has served as Fire Chief since 2013. Assistant Fire Chief Scott Swanson has been named Acting Fire Chief of the department.
Schelstreet joined the St. Charles Fire Department full-time in 1988 as a firefighter. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1992, Captain in 1997, Assistant Chief in 2003 and served as Acting Fire Chief in 2012 before stepping into the Chief role permanently in 2013.
The St. Charles Fire Department is hosting an open house at Fire Station #1, 112 N. Riverside Avenue on Saturday, October 19, from noon to 3 p.m. to commemorate Fire Prevention Week. The theme this year is: Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!
At 10:14 p.m. Sept. 6, 2019, the St. Charles Fire Department was dispatched to a report of smoke in the house, with an activated fire alarm, at 269 Tower Hill Drive. Firefighters were on the scene by 10:17 and found heavy smoke in the house. The alarm was upgraded at this time. A fire was located in the basement and firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in approximately 15 minutes. Firefighters remain on the scene as of the writing of this release completing the fire investigation. Firefighters extinguished the fire, checked for any fire extension and ventilated smoke.
