Aurora Regional Fire Museum to Host FREE Seventh Annual Community Hero Day on Saturday

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum is excited to host the Seventh Annual Community Hero Day on Saturday, October 5, from 10 AM to 2 PM. This free, family-friendly event, presented by First Alert, celebrates our community’s heroes with engaging activities, demonstrations, and educational opportunities.

 Community Hero Day will feature a wide range of attractions including a touch-a-truck experience, fire truck rides, live fire department demonstrations, free hands-only CPR classes, face painting, and more!

 Returning this year! The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board will hold a live fire demonstration at 1 PM. Witness firsthand how quickly fires can spread and learn about the life-saving importance of fire sprinklers.

Event Highlights:

  • Touch-a-Truck: Explore over a dozen vehicles from 14 local organizations.

  • Fire Truck Rides: Enjoy free rides courtesy of Mrs. O'Leary's Fire Truck Tours

  • Fire Station Tours: Tour Aurora’s Central Fire Station, offered by the Aurora Fire Department.

  • Safety Information Booths: Engage with various community partners.

  • Food Vendors: Tasty eats available for purchase from Strawberries BBQ & Home Run Hot Dogs.

  • Free Museum Admission: Access the Aurora Regional Fire Museum at no cost.

  • Live DJ: Enjoy family-friendly music throughout the event.


“This event has grown into one of the largest of its kind in the area,” said Brian Failing, executive director of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum. “What started as a way to celebrate our community heroes has evolved into an annual tradition that brings together nearly 50 organizations in support of public safety.”

 

This year’s participants include the Aurora Fire Department, Aurora Police Department, Aurora EMA, Nicor Gas, ComEd, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Dazzo’s, Groot, Metra Police, Illinois Tollway, Illinois Army National Guard, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

 Community Hero Day is made possible by the support of our generous sponsors. We extend our deepest thanks to our presenting sponsor, First Alert, and our platinum sponsor, ATI Restoration, for helping us offer this event free of charge to the community.



 

Local Organizations to Host First Responder Career Fair in Downtown Aurora on Saturday

Aurora, IL – The Aurora Regional Fire Museum in collaboration with Waubonsee Community College and the Kane County Sheriff’s Office will host the Second Annual First Responder Career Fair on Saturday, September 21 from 9am-Noon on the downtown Aurora campus of Waubonsee Community College.

The event brings together over a dozen organizations and departments. Waubonsee Community College will have information about educational opportunities in fire science, nursing, and criminal justice. Rush Copley Medical Center will highlight careers in healthcare. We will also feature representatives from 7 local law enforcement agencies and 7 local fire departments.

  • Fire Department Partners: Aurora, Montgomery and Countryside, Oswego, Geneva, Lisle-Woodridge, Elburn and Countryside, and Sugar Grove.

  • Law Enforcement Partners:  Aurora Police, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Metra Police, Streamwood Police, Elburn Police, Wheaton Police, and Bartlett Police.

 In addition to the attending organizations, attendees will be able to ask questions of our panel of professionals in our panel discussion about career paths at 10:30am. All attendees will have an opportunity to take a professional photo to be used on their LinkedIn Profile or social media.

 “We are so excited to be able to partner with so many organizations to expose our community to careers as first responders,” said Brian Failing, executive director of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum. “Earlier this year we revealed our vision for the future of honoring and protecting the past, present, and future of the fire service. Events like this allow us to engage with local departments and attract more career seekers to the profession.”

 Registration is suggested, but anyone can show up to learn more; https://bit.ly/FirstResponderCareerFair The downtown Aurora campus of Waubonsee Community College is located at 18 S. River Street, Aurora, IL.

Spellbinding Spirits: A Haunting Evening at the Fire Museum

Check out our newest program!

Join us on Saturday, October 26th from 7:00pm-8:30pm for a haunting evening at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum. Built in 1894 as Aurora‘s old central fire station, the museum boasts a long, rich, and haunting history. 

The Fire Museum is rumored to be home to the spirits of two children who can be heard giggling, a cantankerous male spirit that prefers an early bedtime, and a dapper fireman who enjoys seeing people walk around and admire the engines.  

We will be joined on this paranormal tour by Aurora Historian, Author, Paranormal Researcher, and local Tour Guide, Tracy Duran, alongside Medium and Hoof + Horn shop Witch, Ruby Sue Bee.  

You’ll get to enjoy a brief presentation by Tracy, accompanied by enchanting hors d’oeuvres and a Magical Mocktail, and will then get to explore the museum on your own with EMF readers to see if the ghosts of the museum’s past will unveil themselves to you!  

Dressing for the occasion is encouraged, so conjure up your best witchy outfits, and make this an October to remember!  This event is kindly sponsored by local shop Hoof + Horn.

Purchase your tickets today by scanning the QR code, clicking the link, or by using the form below!

Contact the Aurora Regional Fire Museum for more information.

 Are you a member of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum? If so, contact us for an exclusive code to save $5 per ticket!

Fire Museum to Host FREE Community Hero Day on Saturday

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum will host the Sixth Annual Community Hero Day on Saturday, October 7 from 10am-2pm. Community Hero Day is a free, community event. The event features a touch-a-truck with vehicles from a handful of community organizations spanning from safety to community services. Additionally, families will have an opportunity to interact with a variety of community partners.

 

RETURNING AGAIN this year, the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board will conduct a live fire demonstration at 1pm! Learn first-hand how quickly fires can spread as well as the importance of fire sprinklers in saving lives and property.

 

Event Highlights:

·         Touch-a-Truck featuring over a dozen vehicles from a variety of community heroes!

·         Free fire truck rides by Mrs. O'Leary's Fire Truck Tours (sponsored by DeNova Detect)

·         Tour Aurora’s Central Fire Station courtesy of the Aurora Fire Department

·         Safety information and booths from our Community Partners

·         Food available for purchase from 3 Food Trucks

·         Free Museum Admission

·         Live DJ playing family friendly music

 

Hosted at the beginning of Fire Prevention Month, Community Hero Day allows the Museum to educate the entire community about fire safety and safety in our community. “One of the messages of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) is that fire prevention starts with you. Community hero day allows us to educate children and adults about fire safety and introduce them to service providers in our community that help get us safe on a daily basis,” said executive director Brian Failing.

 

The event will include vehicles from the Aurora Fire Department, Aurora Police Department, Aurora EMA, FEMA, Nicor Gas, ComEd, Ozinga, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Dazzo’s, Groot, Metra Police, and the Illinois Tollway.

 

Community Hero Day is presented by First Alert and is free to the entire community due to the generous support of First Alert and all of our generous sponsors.

Fire Museum to Participate in Worldwide Day of Play this Saturday

 

Today, the Aurora Regional Fire Museum announces their participation in Our World: Worldwide Day of Play on September 30, 2023. As a day dedicated to experiencing joyful learning through play, this event is focuses on getting kids and their families up, out, and playing around.

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum will participate in Our World: Worldwide Day of Play by hosting an event on September 30 focused on play. Our Day of Play features play by teaching about firefighting and fire safety. Children and families are invited to complete a scavenger hunt throughout the museum by visiting from 10am-4pm with a reduced admission cost of $5 per family.

“Play is a powerful experience that enriches people’s lives in museums, schools, homes, and beyond,” states Arthur G. Affleck, III, executive director of the Association of Children’s Museums. “ACM is pleased to partner with Nickelodeon on amplifying the importance of play on wellbeing and healthy brain development, and to make learning more effective and joyful for everyone. As children’s museums, we believe in the power of play and we strive to nurture more play and playful learning everywhere we go.”

“We are thankful for the opportunity to participate in this National Day of Play. This provides an opportunity to introduce children and families to our museum and do our part to educate our community about the role of firefighters and fire safety,” said Brian Failing, executive director of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum.

Our World: Worldwide Day of Play is part of Nickelodeon’s Our World global initiative to inspire kids and provide them with tools to activate their individual and collective agency.  As part of a network of than 300 ACM member children’s museums who reach millions of families in North America, and the more than 1,000 museums participating in Museums for All, a national access initiative that ACM manages, the Aurora Regional Fire Museum is a vital collaborator in the Our World: Worldwide Day of Play.

For a list of all participating Our World: Worldwide Day of Play events and more information about the initiative, please visit www.childrensmuseums.org/dayofplay.

Spring Break at the Fire Museum

School is out in Aurora for Spring Break and that means that it is the perfect time to visit the Aurora Regional Fire Museum! We will be open 10am-4pm, Wednesday - Saturday! Make sure to stop by and explore the Museum during your break.

Stop by and learn all about the history of firefighting and explore our Children’s Discovery Room. This will be one of the last opportunities to check out our exhibit on the Great Chicago Fire before it comes down to make way for a new exhibit.

CPR Classes Open to the Public to be Held at the Fire Museum

Starting in February 2023, we will host American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED and Basic Life Support For Healthcare Providers Classes taught by DobroSKILLS CPR. DobroSKILLS CPR is an American Red Cross Licensed Training Provider based in Aurora, IL.

Owner and instructor, Bobby Dobroski, has taught CPR since 2016 and started his small business in 2022.  The CPR classes being taught at the Fire Museum will be blended; meaning the first portion will take place online and the second portion will be in-person held in our meeting space. All CPR certifications are valid for two years and OSHA approved. 

For more information, class schedule, and sign-up instructions for CPR and BLS classes go to DobroSKILLS.net. 

Bobby with The Learning Experience - Sauganash Directors Deb and Julie on Make Believe Blvd demonstrating the encircling thumbs technique on infant CPR manikins.

Looking for a unique venue for your workshop, presentation or meeting? If so, look no further than the Hayloft Theatre. Featuring tiered seating for 60 in cushioned seats, our space is perfect for a variety types of events and meetings. Check out our Rentals and Parties page for more information.

2021 Fire Museum Holiday Ornament Pre-Order

Summer is in full swing and before you know it the holidays will be in full swing. Check out the Aurora Regional Fire Museum's 2021 Holiday Ornament now available for pre-order! Our 2021 ornament feature's Aurora's 1921 Stutz, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year!

Ornaments are $20 each or 2 for $35 and will likely sell out quickly! Ornaments will be available for pick-up or delivery in September!

Click Here to Pre-Order Your Ornament Today

“The best on the market, far superior to any that the city has purchased.” With those reassuring words of praise, the Aurora City Council approved the bid of $12,500 for the purchase of a Stutz fire engine for Company No.3. The combination chemical and hose pumper was one of three of its kind sold by Stutz Fire Engine Company in 1921.

Fire Museum Appoints Five New Board Members

During the meeting of our Board of Directors last week, the Aurora Regional Fire Museum appointed five Board Members to serve a three-year term on the Board. The Board of Directors is the governing body for the Aurora Regional Fire Museum and consists of up to 15 members of our region.

  • Clare Augustine: Clare is a retired nurse who spent her career at Rush Copley Hospital in Aurora. Clare’s grandfather, John Petersohn, was a Captain for the Aurora Fire Department and lost his life fighting the Woolworth Fire in 1934.

  • David McCabe: David is the deputy chief of the Aurora Fire Department. He has been a member of the department for 24 years and is looking forward to helping strengthen the museum’s educational outreach.

  • Kristine Walker: Kristine is an account manager with Presidio Group. She is an active member of the Aurora community and serves on the board of directors for Aurora Downtown.

  • Tracy Duran: Tracy is an accounting administrator with Vaxcel International Co.. Tracy was born and raised in Aurora and is a self-taught Aurora historian.

  • Uriel Terrazas: Uriel is an account manager with MetLife. Raised in Aurora, Uriel is excited to join the museum and lend his talents to an organization supporting his hometown.

“In welcoming this outstanding slate of new members to our Board of Directors, the Aurora Regional Fire Museum is positioned to further its commitments to preserving the history of the Aurora Fire Department and educating the public about fire safety and prevention. Each new Board Member brings something different to the table that will help us to achieve our goals and advance the mission of the Fire Museum going forward,” said James Cardis, Board President.

With the appointment of new members to its Board, the Fire Museum extends its sincere thanks to outgoing members Jill Cotton, Mike Zelensek, Abby Schuler, and Jim Rhodes for their years of dedicated service to the museum. Jill and Mike will continue to serve as volunteer committee members.  

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum preserves the history of the Aurora Fire Department and fire service in our region through our collections and exhibits while educating visitors about fire safety and prevention. From humble beginnings to the Museum visitors know and love today, the Museum welcomes over 10,000 visitors annually for tours, programs, and events.

Fire Museum to Host FREE Community Hero Day

Aurora, IL – The Aurora Regional Fire Museum will host our Third Annual Community Hero Day on Saturday, October 3 from 10am-2pm. Community Hero Day is a free, community event. The event will feature a social-distanced viewing of vehicles from eight community organizations spanning from safety to community services. Families will have an opportunity to get up close and personal with the twelve vehicles and visit with our community partners, including the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board who will be on hand with their residential fire sprinkler demonstration trailer.

Hosted at the beginning of Fire Prevention Month, Community Hero Day allows the Museum to educate the entire community about fire safety and safety in our community. “Although this year has made it challenging to host community event, we are excited to provide the opportunity to put this event on safely and connect visitors with vital safety information,” said executive director Brian Failing.

The event will include vehicles from the Aurora Fire Department, Aurora Police Department, Nicor Gas, Ozinga, Groot, Kane County Sheriff, West & Sons Towing, and the Illinois Toll Highway Authority.

Community Hero Day is presented by First Alert and is free to the entire community due to the generous support of First Alert and all of our generous sponsors. “The Aurora Regional Fire Museum is an outstanding organization that shares our mission to educate communities about fire safety, and we are thrilled to continue our valuable partnership this year,” said Tarsila Wey, director of marketing for First Alert. “We are grateful to be able to safely support Community Hero Day and support education in our local community on the importance of home fire safety.”

 A, free, timed ticket is required for entry to Community Hero Day. Tickets are available online by visiting; http://bit.ly/2020ARFMHeroDay.

Aurora Regional Fire Museum Launches New Project

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum is launching a program, Essential Stories: Firefighting in a Pandemic, to collect, preserve and present stories relating to COVID-19. The museum will create an exhibit and virtual record highlighting the ways in which firefighters in our community responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a museum devoted to the history of firefighting, it is crucial for us to collect the stories of history that is happening right now in order to preserve them for future generations of firefighters and for our community as a whole.  

We will be collecting anecdotes from current firefighters through the survey linked below. Responders will also be asked to submit a picture of themselves and a picture of them in their PPE. The survey will be available from August 27th to September 30th. We are hoping to collect at least 30 responses in order to cover a range of experiences. Additionally, responders will be able to indicate if they would be interested in taking part in a video interview to be included in the virtual exhibit. The exhibit will open the first week of November with a concurrent opening of the virtual portion of the exhibit.

If there are any questions please feel free to reach out to Rachel at stories@auroraregionalfiremuseum.org

The survey can be found here: https://forms.gle/Q7km2NkcYxD82Kke6

2020 Ornament Reveal!

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum’s 2020 ornament is a replica of AFD’s 1942 American LaFrance engine! The 1942 American LaFrance Engine served the City of Aurora out of Central Station as part of Company No. 1. Purchased in the midst of World War II, the engine was Aurora’s first enclosed cab fire engine. Our annual holiday ornament commemorates this historic piece of fire history. Two dollars from every ornament sold will go towards the Museum’s restoration fund for this vehicle. By purchasing an ornament, you are helping lay the groundwork for us to restore this engine and supporting the work of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum.

The ornament is available for pre-order at https://bit.ly/2020Ornament

Ornaments will be available for pick-up or delivery in October.

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Fire Museum Receives Landmarks Illinois Relief Grant

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum was one of 13 nonprofits throughout the state to receive a $2,000 grant from the COVID-19 Organization Relief Grant Program set up by Landmarks Illinois. Funds from this grant were utilized to create a new website and continue to pay staff during our closure and reopening.

Landmarks Illinois, a statewide historic preservation advocacy organization, created its COVID-19 Organization Relief Grant Program this spring to help community development, preservation and other partner nonprofits throughout the state during the coronavirus health crisis. Landmarks Illinois received an overwhelming response to the grant program, with 94 applications for the 13 available grants.

Check out the full press release for more information about Landmarks Illinois and the COVID-19 Organization Relief Grant Program.

Hours:

Wednesday: 10am-4pm

Thursday: 10am-4pm

Friday: 10am-4pm

Saturday: 10am-4pm