Murphysboro Fire Department

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Murphysboro Fire Department The Murphysboro Fire Department was established in 1907. The department responds to over 650 calls a year through its eleven employees.

Our mission is to minimize loss of life, property, and damage to the environment from fires, natural disasters and other life-threatening situations in the City of Murphysboro. Celebrating over a Century of Proud Service!In 2007, the Murphysboro Fire Department proudly celebrated its 100th year of serving the residents of Murphysboro. It maintains two fire stations: Station I, located at 219 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.We are an all hazards fire department that consists of 10 firefighters that cover 4 shifts and are here to serve the citizens 24/7/365. We are currently led by Fire Chief Steve McBride, a fire service veteran with over 34 years in public safety.

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10/21/2026

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On January 15, 1983, an arson fire destroyed most of a city block in downtown Murphysboro, Illinois. The fire was deliberately set in an apartment above a tavern around 2:30 in the morning. More than 100 firefighters from twelve departments answered the mutual aid call. Six buildings burned, and one resident died.

By 7 a.m. the fire was mostly out, but the ruins smoldered all day. Shortly before 12:30 p.m., Captain John Marnati was working the scene when a dump truck hauling bricks and debris struck him. He was treated at Carbondale Memorial Hospital but never returned to duty — he died of a heart attack on October 9, 1983, as a result of his injuries.

He'd been with the Murphysboro Fire Department since 1959 and ran a part-time business selling, repairing, and refilling fire extinguishers. They'd called him "Mouse" since he was a kid. He hunted and fished, and every year the winners of the Firefighter's Waterfight Competition at the Murphysboro Apple Festival take home a trophy named for him. He was 46.

Photo is from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Roll of Honor.

Serving the community, one problem at a time. Happy to help!
10/13/2026

Serving the community, one problem at a time. Happy to help!

RFB
10/11/2026

RFB

In Memoriam: October 9, 1983 - LODD
Captain John Marnati, 47
Murphysboro Fire Department. Murphysboro, IL
On January 15, 1983, Captain John Marnati of the Murphysboro Fire Department was severely injured following an arson fire that destroyed most of a city block in downtown Murphysboro. The fire was deliberately set in an apartment above a tavern, and the flames quickly spread to the adjacent buildings. Murphysboro firefighters responded to the fire at around 2:30AM, and over the next several hours more than 100 additional firefighters from twelve other fire departments responded with mutual aid assistance. Six buildings, containing both businesses and apartments, were destroyed in the fire, and one apartment resident died. The fire was mostly extinguished by 7AM, but the ruins continued to smolder throughout the day. Shortly before 12:30PM, Captain Marnati was working at the fire scene when he was struck by a dump truck that was removing bricks and other debris from the scene. Captain Marnati was treated at Carbondale Memorial Hospital, but he was unable to return to duty following the accident, and he died from a heart attack on October 9 as a result of his injuries.

10/09/2026
09/28/2026

The Murphysboro Fire Department will begin hydrant flushing/inspections on Monday September28th. Crews will work weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Residents may notice a change in water pressure and possible discoloration. The water is safe to drink. However, if your water is discolored, wait a few hours before doing laundry.

Hydrant flushing is a vital part of providing Fire Protection to the City. Please use caution in the area where our crews are flushing as there could be pooling water temporarily on the road. This operation will continue for approximately 6 weeks.

This morning Firefighter Morber and myself participated in the Saluki 9-11 Memorial stair climb to remember those who we...
09/11/2026

This morning Firefighter Morber and myself participated in the Saluki 9-11 Memorial stair climb to remember those who were killed in the terrorist attacks 25 years ago today. We climbed alongside firefighters from across the region, including my daughter Connor, who serves with the Carbondale Fire Department. Also represented were military, police, EMS, businesses, and members of the general public. All climbing 110 flights of stairs to make sure that we NEVER FORGET.

Chief McBride

Murphysboro Fire Department was happy to host the MABAS 45 Dive Team for training on Lake Kinkaid.
09/10/2026

Murphysboro Fire Department was happy to host the MABAS 45 Dive Team for training on Lake Kinkaid.

As a part of the huge contingent of firefighters and MABAS assets that responded to the devastating fire yesterday I wan...
09/03/2026

As a part of the huge contingent of firefighters and MABAS assets that responded to the devastating fire yesterday I want to say, well done to the DuQuoin Fire Department and everyone working on scene and behind the scene. Faced with a formidable challenge, everyone worked together and everyone went home. Everyone sees the obvious but most don't know what goes on outside of the immediate scene to run an operation of that magnitude. This is why we train and plan continuously.

And to the community of DuQuoin, well done also. I can't begin to count the number of times we were checked on, offered drinks and food, or cold wet towels to combat the heat. The community and business owners were amazing!

Our thoughts are with those that suffered the loss of their businesses yesterday and we pray you will be able to build back stronger in the future.

Chief McBride

After hose testing some of us decided to go to Game On Grill and Bar for lunch. We were completely taken aback when we w...
08/26/2026

After hose testing some of us decided to go to Game On Grill and Bar for lunch. We were completely taken aback when we were told that our lunch was on the house! Many thanks to Tracy Abbott for her generosity!

8 guys, 4 hours, 3000 feet of 5 inch supply line tested, drained, and reloaded. Strong work today by your Murphysbor...
08/26/2026

8 guys, 4 hours, 3000 feet of 5 inch supply line tested, drained, and reloaded. Strong work today by your Murphysboro Firefighters!

Address

219 N 10th Street
Murphysboro, IL
62966

Telephone

+16186843991

Website

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