The story of the Union Fire Company began in 1736 when Benjamin Franklin established the first fire company. Fast forward to 1871, and a new chapter started in Centreville, Illinois, where a local group formed their own Union Fire Company with 32 members.

Things got a bit tricky when a neighboring town just 10 miles south also named itself Centreville. This created some confusion for years—until 1890, when the southern town realized they needed a unique identity and officially changed its name to Millstadt. As a result, the Centreville Fire Department evolved into the Millstadt Union Fire Company.

Millstadt is a small but proud town with deep German roots. While many communities saw changes in their emergency services over time, Millstadt remained committed to its traditions. Today, the Union Fire Company of Millstadt holds a special place in history as the oldest continuously operating volunteer fire department in Illinois.

In the early days, firefighters used hand-pumped engines, wheeled hose reels, and leather buckets to fight fires. They weren’t just responding to fires—they were part of the community’s everyday life.

Current Fire Chief Kurt Pellman leads 32 dedicated volunteers, including his own son. Modern technology now helps alert them quickly—like pagers—but back in the day, it was much simpler. “We would sound the town sirens three times if there was a fire,” Pellman recalled. “If it went off a fourth time, everyone knew to come in.”

Among the long-time members are people like Ralph Schaefer, whose great-grandfather arrived in the 1870s, and Robert Stumpf, whose family came from Germany in the 1840s. Stumpf has been with the department since 1956 and even served as chief. Butch Hettenhausen's family has been in the area since the mid-1800s, and he has spent his entire life volunteering.

“Back then, our old trucks had boots in them,” Pellman said. “You had to hope you got the right pair. Our only protection was a raincoat. No one had breathing apparatuses.”

Stumpf added, “We only had two pairs of boots and three coats. We basically went in without any real protection.”

The Union Fire Company covers a vast area of 96 square miles, serving rural parts of southern Illinois. Their success has always been built on strong community support. Millstadt is a close-knit town where everyone knows each other, and that sense of unity has helped keep the fire department going for over a century.

Throughout the years, through every fire, every challenge, and every change, what has truly stood the test of time is the dedication of the men who have served. In the past, firefighters who missed a community event were fined 50 cents, and missing a funeral procession was unthinkable.

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