SPRINGFIELD — The Clinton Fire Department participated recently in the annual Illinois Firefighters Memorial and Awards Banquet.  The Illinois Fire Marshal’s Office invited the department to participate in the annual event.

This year was special for the Fire Marshal’s Office because it was the office’s 20th year for the event and the 200th year of the agency. The Clinton Fire Department provided its 1941 Ford fire truck, which was the third fire truck to serve the City of Clinton and the only Clinton Fire truck to serve in the color white. 

Blake West, of the Clinton Fire Department, reported during the recent city council meeting the Clinton department was asked by organizers if they knew of departments who could provide antique trucks for the event, information Clinton was able to provide.

The Clinton truck was parked in the Springfield Prairie Capital Convention Center for three days in presentation of a three-day museum the State Fire Marshal’s Office put together. 

At the memorial on Tuesday, May 8, the Clinton Fire Department was honored to also lift the United States flag on the north side of the Capital Building on Monroe Street for the Firefighters Memorial.