Marengo – The Northern Illinois Fire Museum (NIFM), a group that showcases a wide array of vintage fire trucks and antique equipment, is an organization rich with history.
“The NIFM was officially incorporated in 2001, and they were off to the races,” said Treasurer Roger Dreher, who joined the now fifty-member group in 2002 after a small number of Morengo firefighters agreed to establish the museum.
(Photos by Hannah Sturtecky/Sun Day)
The NIFM boasts an antique assortment of fire trucks and other machinery, owned by members of the group or the museum. One of the most astonishing treasures, according to NIFM secretary Tom McDermott, is the 1956 Hunneman. This famous vehicle, used in the 1871 Chicago Fire, is hand or horse-drawn and features a hand pump.
Currently, however, the NIFM is seeking to increase its presence in the modern world; more specifically, the group is in need of a new home. According to Dreher, the organization’s current goal is to pique the interest of potential members and also find a place to land.
Northern Illinois Fire Museum
Events: Upcoming events that the NIFM will attend (for old and new members alike) include parade of fire vehicles in Aurora on August 1, The Chicagoland Vehicle Show in Aurora on August 2, and the annual raffle on August 9 (tickets are $10 and prizes are cash).
Website: nifm.net
Phone: 815-568-8950
“We need a permanent home,” Dreher said, adding that the museum’s current location is not a typical gallery; it’s a place of storage in Morengo.
While the NIFM currently seeks new property, its historical gems do see the light of day. Dreher noted that the organization frequently shows trucks and equipment at parades, fundraisers, and fire musters.
“Fire musters have pumping contests, water fights, games, and vendors selling fire memorabilia,” said McDermott.
The NIFM also hopes to obtain more members, perhaps from Sun City.
Dreher recommends joining “If you still have a love of firefighting, and you hear the fire alarm and you feel ready to go, or even if you love fire trucks but were never a firefighter. We have trucks to play with and to drive around.”
McDermott added that the NIFM seeks bright thinkers as well.
“We’re looking for new ideas about fundraising,” he said, noting that the annual fundraiser and raffle will take place on Saturday, August 9, and is open to anyone (tickets are $10 and prizes are cash).
Those who are interested in joining the NIFM need only to complete an application and submit it to an NIFM board member.
“We’re happy to show trucks and answer questions,” Dreher said.
