Aurora Fire Department Donates Engine To Southern IL Department

AURORA, IL — The Aurora Fire Department helped a southern Illinois fire department by donating an engine that will become a "vital asset" at the agency, officials announced.

The Aurora Fire Department donated a 2000 reserve fire engine, previously stationed at Station 3, to the Cairo-Auxiliary Fire Department, an exchange facilitated through the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's fire equipment exchange website. The program "highlights the spirit of collaboration and mutual support within Illinois' fire service community," according to a news release.

The Cairo-Auxiliary Fire Department, based in Alexander County, is staffed by 12 volunteer firefighters who supplement Cairo's full-time fire personnel and serve about 29 square miles. Aurora's donated engine is a "significant upgrade" for the department, whose current frontline engine, a 1995 model, was donated by Round Lake in 2022.

Cairo-Auxiliary Fire Department Chief Mike Turner and his grandson Matt made the six-hour drive to Aurora to pick up the engine, officials said. Aurora Fire Chief David McCabe paid a symbolic $1 transaction to show "the shared commitment to ensuring fire departments across the state have the tools they need to protect their communities."

"This engine has been a steadfast piece of equipment for Aurora, and we're thrilled to see it continue serving another community," Aurora Fire Chief McCabe said in a statement. "Firefighting is built on teamwork, not just within departments but between them. When one department helps another, everyone benefits."