East Peoria Firefighters Local 1498

05/25/2026

Today, we remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Their courage, dedication, and selflessness will never be forgotten. As we spend time with family and friends this Memorial Day, we pause to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy because of those who gave everything to protect them

04/23/2026

Please keep Officer Vester’s family and the East Peoria Police Department in your thoughts and prayers. The world lost a great father, husband, friend and police officer way too soon

04/09/2026

The East Peoria Firefighters Local 1498 Mustache March benefiting the Greater Peoria Honor Flight results are in!

We were able to raise an amazing $1,800 and will be sending 2+ veterans on the honor flight!

The 30 day mustache winner is Anthony Heskett.
The 30+ day mustache winner is Jen N Dan Johnson.
The creepiest mustache winner is Alex Sollberger.

And the ACTUAL winner of the entire competition, by a landslide of votes, is our girl Adelyn Davidson!😂🫶

Thank you SO much to all of those that voted and donated…see you next March!

04/07/2026

Just ONE day left to cast your votes for the 2026 EPFD Mustache March fundraiser benefiting the Greater Peoria Honor Flight!
Please don’t forget to donate!

Greater Peoria Honor Flight is dedicated to providing veterans from the greater Peoria area with an unforgettable day of honor in Washington D.C. to visit their memorials.

03/31/2026

We are asking for the public’s help on deciding which East Peoria Firefighter has the best mustache! Some of these firefighters have never had a mustache, and it shows😂👨🏻‍🚒

There are 3 categories: 30 plus days, 30 days, and creepiest.

Red numbers are 30 Plus days of growth

Blue numbers are 30 days of growth.

Please use the Like 👍🏼 or Heart ❤️ for the Best mustache.

Please use the wow 😮 for the creepiest mustache.

This year, we are raising money for Greater Peoria Honor Flight to send local veterans to Washington, D.C.! Your first vote is free! To earn more votes donate at our link in the comments below; each dollar donated earns you one additional vote. Please use the Mustache Fundraiser Blue button after following the link. Message us the dollar amount donated and where you want your votes placed. Be sure to include the number and color. We will post an update on the standings on April 6 to give everyone one final chance to cast their votes.

All votes will be tallied Wednesday, April 8 and our winners will be announced.

It costs $800 to send a veteran to Washington, D.C. Our goal is to send AT LEAST one veteran. Your support is greatly appreciated!

03/30/2026

We are happy to donate to such a great cause and organization! Shield 23 Foundation Inc

Shield 23 Foundation is proud to welcome the East Peoria Fire Department as a valued member of our growing community.

Pictured is our 1st Director, Jenny Bahr, presenting their official membership plaque. This moment represents more than recognition. It reflects a shared commitment to supporting firefighters facing cancer and the families who stand beside them.

We are grateful to the East Peoria Fire Department for joining us in this mission and for their dedication to serving both their community and the fire service family.

Together, we continue to make an impact. For Love of Family & Brotherhood.

03/25/2026

Local 1498 Honor Guard members had the honor of posting the colors at the Illinois Fire and Life Safety Conference located at the Par-A-Dice hotel this morning.
Pictured from left are Lieutenant/Paramedic Matt Foster, Firefighter/Paramedic Brennan Kennedy, Firefighter/Paramedic Anthony Heskett, and Lieutenant/Paramedic Drew Rubel.

Thank you for repeatedly hosting this conference in our great city and for inviting us to be a part of it!🚒

03/21/2026

A little history lesson on Mustache March:

Mustache March is a military tradition in memory of Brigadier General Robin Olds. General Olds was a triple ace with 16 victories in WWII and Vietnam. Olds grew his iconic handlebar mustache in Vietnam as a “gesture of defiance.”
Local 1498 has been volunteering for the Greater Peoria Honor Flight since 2013, when the flights first started. Local 1498 members travel with the veterans and help with healthcare/medications, transportation of wheelchairs/walkers, lifting and carrying, and even snacks and meals….but were mostly there to meet these amazing veterans, and listen to anything they’d like to share.
For many veterans on the Honor Flight, it’s the fist time they’ve ever seen the headstones, monuments, and statues in memory of their fallen comrades…and witnessing that is unlike anything you could imagine 🫶
Stay tuned, our donation link will be posted soon!

02/04/2026

02/01/2026

Local 1498 members Alex Sollberger, Brennan Kennedy, and Holden Mercer…along with their respective mustaches, attended the AFFI Honor Guard Convention in Chicago this past weekend. Looking sharp gents!👨🏻‍🚒