Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal

The 2026 Illinois Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Conference is expanding to two days this year, offering even more opportunities to learn, collaborate, and strengthen community risk reduction efforts across Illinois.

Hosted by the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) in Champaign, this year's conference will showcase Illinois-based expertise, successful programs, and resources designed to help departments and communities enhance or jumpstart their CRR initiatives.

Marta Keane from the Battery Network talks about how fire departments can get involved in battery recycling in their communties. 

As hot and humid summer weather returns to Illinois, now is the time to prepare for extreme heat. Taking simple steps to stay cool, stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable family members and neighbors can help prevent heat-related illnesses. Visit the link below for Extreme Heat Planning Timeline for tips and resources to help you stay safe all summer long.

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced the recipients of the 2026 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $6 million was awarded to 264 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal advises everyone to follow proper grilling safety steps to help ensure a safe summer filled with everyone’s favorite grilled foods.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), reports around 64% of U.S. households own at least one outdoor BBQ, grill or smoker. July was the peak month for grill fires, followed by June, May and August. Gas grills were involved in an average of 9,287 home fires per year, including 4,682 structure fires and 4,605 outdoor fires annually.

OSFM’s Fire Prevention Division has compiled important information on lithium-ion batteries into a comprehensive fact sheet. The guide covers how the technology works, the dangers of thermal runaway, current challenges and trends, recent developments, and key firefighting considerations when responding to these incidents.

As lithium-ion batteries become more common in everyday devices, understanding the risks and safety measures is more important than ever. Learn more by clicking the link below.