Granite City Fire Department History
Granite City was incorporated as a city on March 9, 1896. The population at this time was 992.
A volunteer Fire Department was established and the only equipment available at this time was a manpowered hose cart. The man responsible for forming the volunteer Fire Department was Fred Stegelmeyer, who would also become the first fire chief and would remain so for sixteen (16) of his twenty-five (25) years as a member of the department.
Historical data available indicates that the first large fire was at the Continental Wire Works and The Drummond Box Factory (American Steel Co). At this time the volunteer firemen received $1.00 each for answering alarms, regardless of whether it took five minutes or five hours to put out the flames.
By 1920, the City had become quite diversified. As heavy and light industry flourished and expanded, so did residential and commercial building. The railroads and trucking industries also began to become more active as the community grew. In 1921 the all volunteer Fire Department was abolished and became part-paid and part-volunteer. The total crew at this time consisted of ten (10) volunteer and six (6) paid men. The City had adopted the Civil Service for firemen at that time.
In 1921 the all volunteer Fire Department was abolished and became part-paid and part-volunteer. The total crew at this time consisted of ten (10) volunteer and six (6) paid men. The City had adopted the Civil Service for firemen at that time. 
in 1922 the volunteers were totally abolished, and a new station apart from the one located at 19th & State Street was constructed on the west side of town at Cayuga Street and Rock Road. This station was badly needed for fire protection due to the many delays and stoppages by trains at three railroad crossings.
During 1923, the first mechanical equipment was purchased. The City fathers voted to buy two American-LaFrance, 500 GPM Pumpers. The latter part of the year also saw delivery of a new service truck.
By 1941 there were fifteen (15) full time firemen. The population grew to 29,000, and industries were geared to full-time war production. This brought even more people into the community. During the war years, The Corp. of Engineers constructed a huge facility covering over 900 acres, erecting huge warehouses that were several blocks long.
In 1950, the City annexed the Village of Nameoki, to the North. More men and equipment were needed to adequately serve this area. Another engine house was added. This house, Station #3, was located at 3900 Nameoki Road. The men stationed here initially encountered some hostility from enraged citizens and were often snubbed. Gradually, neighborhood children began to hang around the fire house and before long a more responsive attitude between the firemen and the public developed. Also, in 1950, working hours of the two Platoon System consisted of a 72 hour work week, decreasing to 56 hours a week in 1956, when additional men were hired.
At the present time, a Three Platoon System is in effect and the hours are reduced to a 51 hour work week. 
By March of 1977 the manpower of the Fire Department was 48 men. Also in March of 1977, another important milestone was achieved: the Fire Department’s Ambulance Services were established. The service began with the purchase of four Dodge vehicles and the hiring of 20 Emergency Medical Technicians. Presently, we respond to approximately 35,000 people throughout a 10 mile radius.
In 1980, a new 1500 GPM 50’ Telesquirt was purchased, but was not received and put into service until 1981. Also in 1980, the Rescue Vehicle was purchased and put into service. The Rescue Vehicle is a compartmentalized, one ton, 4-wheel drive 1980 GMC, manufactured by Emergency-One of Ocala, Florida. All the latest rescue equipment including a Hurst tool (The Jaws of Life) are carried on this truck. The City paid in excess of $40,000 for this equipment, which included communication equipment. Seventy-Five (75) percent of the cost, however, would later be reimbursed to the City by an Illinois Department of Transportation Grant. 
In 2003, the Fire Department faced one of the largest blazes in its history, when the former NESCO manufacturing plant, which at the time was being used for tire storage by Michelin, was destroyed by fire. The flames blazed for over nine hours and would continue to smolder for another six days before being completely extinguished.
Although a great deal has changed in the Fire Department over the past 110 years, one aspect that remains unchanged is our firefighters' and paramedics' high level of dedication & commitment to the community and citizens of Granite City.