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Shannon Fire Dept.
P.O. Box 549
Shannon, IL 61078

Breakfast - Sun. Apr. 5, 7 am-1pm

Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Hashbrowns, Applesauce, Milk Orange Juice, and Coffee served. Your donation will help purchase Extrication Airlifting Bags. Have some fun at this community gathering and help your fire dept. too!

Shannon Fire Protection District Sees Change In 2008

In late August, the Shannon Fire Department was saddened to learn that Fire Chief Randy Meinsma was retiring, effective September 1. Randy took the opportunity to fulfill a life-long goal . . . He will become a partner in a locally owned business.

Randy served for 14 years as the Shannon Fire Chief. During his time as chief, Randy brought many changes including, but not limited to, a new fire station and the replacement of all fire apparatus.

Taking Randy’s place as Fire Chief is Jim Klinefelter. Jim has served on the department for 14 years and was previously the Asst. Fire Chief and Ambulance Chief. Taking Jim’s positions are Pat Miller, a 20+ year veteran. Pat will take on the roll as Deputy Chief. Tracy Becker will be taking on the role as Ambulance Chief. Although many may think this is a lot for a small town volunteer department to change in a short amount of time, the departments' members are certainly up for the challenge.

Chief Klinefelter stated, "Our goal is to become more involved in the community and expand our networking with other departments. Our main focus in the up coming year will be centered around training and teamwork. This focus ensures that everyone on the department has what they and the department needs to succeed in the future.”

The Shannon Fire department has also seen a change to their dispatching staff. Charles “Charlie” Stevens a 48 year veteran of the department passed away on August 31, 2008 at his home. Charlie served as the dispatcher for the department for many years. He was also a representative on the Carroll County 911 board, a friend, and fellow firefighter.

Charlie was given a full fire funeral service, in which many local fire fighters brought fire apparatus and personnel to pay their respects. Charlie rode peacefully up top of the Shannon Fire Department's Engine 721 and was led to the cemetery by all of the SFD's apparatus and personnel. Upon completion of the cemetery service, a last tone was rung and there was a fly- over by LifeLine Helicopter.

Chief Klinefelter stated “Charlie was a great asset to the community and the department. He will be missed by all.”

Other changes to the department include the purchase of a 1999 Chevy Tahoe with a Command Desk. The Tahoe will service as a Unified Command vehicle. The vehicle will be used to assist the department with accountability and uniformity.

“The command vehicle is a centralized post, in which all of the command and data will be housed. We will be able to keep better track of accountability of our firemen, scene safety, and develop a unified command," stated Klinefelter.

The Shannon Fire Department sponsors a Pancake & Sausage Breakfast in April every year. Chief Klinefelter said the department is grateful to the community for their strong support. Proceeds go toward the purchase of new equipment, or to upgrade current equipment.

The roster of the Shannon Fire Dept. consists of 27 members and 3 probationary members. Officers are Chief Jim Klinefelter, Asst. Chief Pat Miller, Asst. Chief Delores Frey, Ambulance Chief Tracy Becker, Captain Vernon Kruse, Captain Chad Schubert, Chaplain George Woosnam, and Chaplain Ellis Boughton.

Additional personnel are Scott Clark, Kenny Dikkers, Kris Etchberger, Kevin Glasstetter, Joe Hammer, Josh Joens, Justin Joens, Gretchen Kempel, Tom Kempel, Amanda Klinefelter, Tim Klinefelter, Sam Kruse, Sherry Maltry, Randy Meinsma, John Mitchell, Dennis Penick, Mark Penticoff, Kyle Ruter, and Jim Schryver.

Trustees of the Shannon Fire Protection District are Ellis Atherton, Ellis Boughton, and Allan Flack.

As the Shannon Fire Department has seen many changes, they are ready to face the future. One step at a time, as a team, willing to take on any challenges they may face.

If you are interested in joining the department or have any comments or concerns, please contact Chief Jim Klinefelter, at the Shannon Fire Station, or his cell at .