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HISTORY
In 1917, a large
fire in the Peoria Business District burned down one of the
most prominent Peoria businesses – Wilhelm Garage and
Blacksmith shop - and virtually wiped out the center of
town. In an effort to prevent future fires, a group of local
business leaders began efforts to organize a fire protection
district. Three years later, in 1920, the Peoria Fire
Protection District was established. At that time, the fire
district was made up of the area within Stone Street to the
north and Monroe Street to the south, between 82nd and 85th
Avenues.
 The district initially used borrowed equipment, but in
February 1922 the district purchased its first fire pumper,
a 1922 Ford Model T. In 1930, the District traded in the Ford
for a 1929 Chevrolet chemical fire engine. This historic
vehicle is still owned by the Peoria Fire Department and is
currently being refurbished by Wilhelm Automotive, the same
Wilhelm that burned down and was rebuilt many years ago.
 In 1954, the City of Peoria was incorporated. At that time
the City boundaries covered one square mile. The Fire
District was abandoned, and the Peoria Volunteer Fire
Department was established. These volunteers served the
community until 1980, when the City hired its first
full-time firefighters.
Today, the City is more than 175 square miles and employs
more than 100 full-time professional firefighters.
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