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Murphysboro Fire Department

218 North 10th Street
Murphysboro, Illinois 62966
618.684.3991
EMERGENCY NUMBER: 911

Steve Swafford, Fire Chief

The City of Murphysboro revised it's open burning ordinance on December 11, 2012.

Effective January 1, 2007, every dwelling in Illinois must have one approved carbon monoxide alarm in operating condition within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping.  For a complete text of the new law, click here.


Celebrating a Century of Proud Service!

In 2007, the Murphysboro Fire Department proudly celebrated its 100th year of serving the residents of Murphysboro. The department averages 200 responses a year through its eleven full-time and three part-time employees. It maintains two fire stations: Station I, located at 218 North 10th Street, is manned 24 hours a day; and Station II, located at 1616 Pine Street, is unmanned. The department is dispatched from the city's 24-hour 911 dispatch center located at Station I.

A complete written and pictorial history of the department has been writted by department historian Ron Manwaring and is available for purchase here.

Fire Prevention Education – The department encourages all citizens to stop by or call the North 10th Street location anytime, 24/7, with questions about the department or fire prevention. Department personnel also provide tours to groups, as well as fire prevention education programs to schools or other organizations.  Simply contact the department to make arrangements.

Emergency Planning & Response – In addition to structural fires, fire education, and arson investigations, the department also is responsible for extrication from vehicle accidents, hazardous materials response, and response to train derailments. Through it membership in the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), Division 45, it works with fire departments throughout Illinois to develop plans for mutual aid and sharing resources, as needed.

Through its efforts in disaster pre-planning, the department received federal grants to send three of its members to train to become part of the Technical Rescue Team involving 428 hours of hands-on training in trench rescue, collapsed and confined space rescue, and rope rescue. In addition two members were trained to serve as part of the Hazardous Materials Team.

Equipment - The department maintains the following equipment:

Safety Education & Reminders

REMEMBER TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BEFORE BURNING ANY LANDSCAPE WASTES OUTDOORS.
Understanding the Nature of Fire
from the United States Fire Administration

Every day Americans experience the horror of fire. But most people don't understand fire. Only when we know the true nature of fire can we prepare ourselves and our families. Each year more than 4,000 Americans die and approximately 20,000 are injured in fires, many of which could be prevented. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) believes that fire deaths can be reduced by teaching people the basic facts about fire. Below are some simple facts that explain the particular characteristics of fire.


Fire is FAST! - There is little time!
In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house. In minutes, a house can be engulfed in flames. Most fires occur in the home when people are asleep. If you wake up to a fire, you won't have time to grab valuables because fire spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There is only time to escape.
Fire is HOT! - Heat is more threatening than flames.
A fire's heat alone can kill. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super hot air will scorch your lungs. This heat can melt clothes to your skin. In five minutes a room can get so hot that everything in it ignites at once: this is called flashover.
Fire is DARK!- Fire isn't bright, it's pitch black.
Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness. If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded, disoriented and unable to find your way around the home you've lived in for years.
Fire is DEADLY! - Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do.
Fire uses up the oxygen you need and produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill. Breathing even small amounts of smoke and toxic gases can make you drowsy, disoriented and short of breath. The odorless, colorless fumes can lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door. You may not wake up in time to escape.

In the event of a fire, remember time is the biggest enemy and every second counts!

Escape first, then call for help. Develop a home fire escape plan and designate a meeting place outside. Make sure everyone in the family knows two ways to escape from every room. Practice feeling your way out with your eyes closed. Never stand up in a fire, always crawl low under the smoke and try to keep your mouth covered. Never return to a burning building for any reason; it may cost you your life.

Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.

Other Stay-Safe Reminders

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