2025 Fire Department of the Year Award Winner - The Andalusia Fire Department

East Peoria, IL — August 19, 2025 — We have the distinct honor of recognizing a group of everyday heroes — a team of individuals who serve not for the paycheck, not for the glory, but simply because they care.

It is with great joy that we present the 2025 Fire Department of the Year Award to our friends at the Andalusia Fire Department.

Now, there’s something truly special about this department. For starters, it’s 100% volunteer. Every call answered, every emergency responded to, every effort made — done entirely by people who give their time, energy, and even their own resources to protect and serve their neighbors.

They maintain all their own equipment, and they don’t just wait for the next call. They take an active role in fundraising and earning the money needed to keep their department running strong — not just for their benefit, but for the entire community.

But their impact reaches far beyond their own town lines. When surrounding communities are in need, they step up without hesitation. They work hand in hand with the local volunteer ambulance service. They've been there after storms, helping to clean up and rebuild. And they’re not just first responders — they’re first to volunteer in times of celebration, too.

From leading holiday parades alongside Santa and the Easter Bunny to rallying behind local sports teams as they head to sectionals and state tournaments, the Andalusia Fire Department is the heartbeat of the community. Their annual pancake breakfast and golf tournament are more than just fun traditions — they bring neighbors together while raising vital funds to support the department’s year-round efforts.

This is a department made up of individuals ranging in age from 18 to 80 — proving that service knows no age limit. Each one of them plays a role in making sure that Andalusia is a safer, stronger, and more connected place to live.

They are role models. They are neighbors. They are protectors. And they are family.

To the members of the Andalusia Fire Department — thank you. Thank you for the sleepless nights, the hours spent training, the holidays spent on call, and the countless ways you show up for your community and beyond.