Sirens could be heard coming out of Carpentersville Saturday morning from miles away.
But it wasn’t an emergency situation that had fire officials out in droves.
Instead, past and present employees of the Carpentersville Fire Department, as well as their family, friends, and community members, were out to celebrate the department’s centennial.
Even the granddaughter of Edward Smith, the village’s first fire chief, was in attendance.
Marilyn Unruh of West Dundee called the event “wonderful.” Her grandfather served as chief from 1915 until 1929.
“They were all volunteer then,” she said. “The whistle blew and they all ran.”
In October of 1914 an ordinance was created by the village to establish a volunteer fire department. On Feb. 23, 1915, the first meeting of the Carpentersville Fire Department gathered at the Village Hall.
Saturday’s event included a parade, barbecue, kid’s activities, and recognition of the department’s founders and their families. Several area fire departments also came out to celebrate with Carpentersville, including Glen Ellyn, Pingree Grove, Bloomingdale, among others, and drove their own fire engines and ambulances in the parade.
“I’ve never seen so many fire trucks,” Unruh said.
Following the parade, U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam read a proclamation to mark the fire department’s “100 years of loyal service to the community.”
“Day in and day out the men and women who comprise the Carpentersville Fire Department risk their lives to protect our communities,” he said. “Their bravery and courage often goes unnoticed, but their efforts are very deserving of our recognition and admiration.”
Erin Sauder is a freelance reporter for the Courier-News.
