French Village Fire Department

10/22/2026

This evening, around 7:00 PM, your French Village Fire Department was dispatched to a residential BOX ALARM for a reported building fire in the 8800 block of Parkdale Drive in Caseyville.

Ladder 2829 and Engine 2811 responded and arrived on scene to find a single-story residence with fire on the exterior at the rear of the home.

Crews quickly extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading into the residence.

Due to smoke damage and damage to the electrical system, the occupants were temporarily displaced from their home. There were no injuries reported.

10/21/2026

𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘. 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗠.

Here's something many homeowners overlook:

Smoke alarms don't last forever.

The U.S. Fire Administration recommends replacing smoke alarms 10 years after the date they were manufactured.

That means the alarm you've had since 2015 may already be overdue for replacement, even if it still beeps when you press the test button.

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗦𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗕𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘇 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲:
1. Find the manufacture date on your smoke alarm, usually printed on the back.
2. If it's 10 years old or older, replace the entire alarm.
3. If you can't determine its age, consider replacing it.
4. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your new alarm.

If you cannot safely reach your alarms or need assistance, contact your local fire department to ask about available programs.

𝗔 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁.

10/18/2026

10/16/2026

Join us at station 1 located at 1406 2nd ave Fairview Heights IL Saturday October 24th from 6-8 pm for our annual trunk or treat!

JOIN THE TREAT CREW!

French Village Fire Department is looking for community members to join us for our Trunk or Treat!

Decorate your vehicle, stock up on candy, and help us make Halloween a spooktacular time for our little ghosts and goblins!

Want to join the fun? If you’d like to bring your vehicle and pass out treats, send us a message! We’d love to have you join the crew!

Let’s fill the parking lot with decorated trunks, sweet treats, and Halloween fun!

Bring your trunk, bring your treats, and JOIN THE TREAT CREW!

10/14/2026

Early this morning, October 14, 2026, at approximately 8:00 a.m., French Village Fire Department was dispatched to provide mutual aid to Caseyville Volunteer Fire Department for a reported garage fire in the 300 block of East O’Fallon Drive.

Assistant Chief 2801 and Caseyville Engine 1612 arrived on scene together and found an active fire in a detached garage. Ladder 2829 and Engine 2811 arrived shortly afterward.

Firefighters immediately initiated an aggressive interior fire attack to bring the fire under control and minimize property damage. Crews remained on scene for an extended period to complete overhaul operations and ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

Fairview Caseyville Township Fire Protection District also responded to provide additional manpower but was released shortly after arrival.

Thanks to the quick response and aggressive efforts of the crews on scene, fire damage was limited.

10/06/2026

🔌 A charger that fits isn’t necessarily a charger that’s safe for your device.

Use the charger and cord supplied with your device or a replacement approved by the manufacturer. The wrong charger can damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.

Check your charging cords today. If they’re frayed, cracked, or damaged, replace them.
Small action. Big impact. Protecting our community begins at home.

10/05/2026

Small battery. A lot of stored energy. 🔋

Lithium ion batteries power many of the devices we use every day. Here’s what’s inside:

• Two sides, called the anode and cathode, store and release energy.
• Tiny particles called lithium ions move between those sides as the battery charges or powers your device.
• An electrolyte helps those particles travel.
• A thin separator keeps the two sides from touching.

When a battery is damaged, that separator can fail, allowing an internal short circuit. The wrong charger or excessive heat can also create unsafe conditions.

That stored energy can become dangerous heat, leading to smoke, fire, or an explosion.

Use the correct charger, protect devices from damage, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

10/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/19yjqYZ1Xr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Fire safety isn't just a set of rules, it's a daily commitment to protecting the people you love.
This Fire Prevention Week (October 4–10, 2026) protect your household by mastering these essential safety pillars:

1. FIRE PREVENTION & SAFETY
• Smoke Detectors: Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside every bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. Test them monthly and replace the batteries annually. Replace smoke detector units every ten years.
• Fire Extinguishers: Keep a certified fire extinguisher in accessible areas like the kitchen and garage. Remember the P.A.S.S. method: Pull the pin, aim low, squeeze the lever, and sweep from side to side.
• Lithium-Ion Battery Safety: Always charge smartphones, laptops, and e-bikes on hard, flat surfaces that dissipate heat and avoid soft surfaces like beds or couches. Use only the original or certified charging equipment and unplug devices as soon as they reach 100%. Stop using any battery that swells, feels excessively hot, or smells strange.

2. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
• Emergency Plans: Create a fire escape plan with your family. Draw a map of your home showing two ways out of every room.
• Designate a Meeting Place: Choose a fixed safe spot where everyone will gather after escaping.

3. ACTIONS DURING AN EMERGENCY
• Get Out, Stay Out: If a fire starts, “Get Low & Go” and prioritize escaping immediately. Never go back inside for clothes, electronics, or pets.
• Call 911: Once you are safely outside at your designated meeting spot, immediately call 911 to report the emergency. Let the dispatchers and arriving first responders handle the situation.
Safety starts with small, proactive choices. Take ten minutes today to check your alarms and review your exit strategy.

Visit Templeton Fire and Emergency Services for more information on these topics.
Head over to nfpa.org to download free educational safety checklists, escape grid planners, and family toolkits.