The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery is a one-of-a-kind addiction treatment facility specializing in PTSD for IAFF members – and IAFF members only – who are struggling with addiction, PTSD other related behavioral health challenges to receive the help they need in taking the first steps toward recovery. It is a safe haven for members to talk with other members who have faced or overcome similar challenges.
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THANK YOU, CENTRALIA! ❤️
Today’s MDA Fill the Boot was another incredible success!
Because of the extreme heat, we made the decision to wrap things up about an hour early, but that didn’t stop our community from showing up in a BIG way. Even with the shortened day, we surpassed last year’s fundraising total!
We cannot thank everyone enough who stopped by, dropped money in the boot, waved, honked, shared our posts, or simply offered some words of encouragement. Every dollar raised helps the Muscular Dystrophy Association continue its mission of supporting individuals and families living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases.
And a HUGE special thank you to Melinda's Coffee + Bistro for taking care of our very HOT firefighters and providing lunch today! 🌡️🔥🥪 It was greatly appreciated and definitely helped keep our crew going.
Days like today remind us just how fortunate we are to serve such a supportive community.
From all of us at Centralia Firefighters IAFF Local 618 — THANK YOU for helping us Fill the Boot and make this year even better than the last! 👨🚒👩🚒❤️
#FillTheBoot #MDA #IAFF #Local618 #CentraliaFirefighters #CentraliaIL #CommunityStrong #ThankYou ... See MoreSee Less
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🥾 FILL THE BOOT — A FIRE SERVICE TRADITION SINCE 1954 🚒
If you see Centralia Fire Fighters standing in the roadway today with boots in hand, you are seeing a tradition that goes back more than 70 years.
The relationship between the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) began in Boston. In 1953, Boston Fire Fighters Local 718 member George Graney helped a friend whose two sons had Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Graney and fellow firefighters took to the community to raise money, collecting approximately $5,000. The following year, in 1954, IAFF delegates officially designated MDA as the union’s charity of choice and committed to continuing the fight until cures are found.
That simple act of firefighters asking their community for help grew into what we now know as Fill the Boot.
Since then, IAFF members across the United States and Canada have carried their boots into intersections and communities year after year. Together, firefighters have raised more than $700 million for MDA, helping fund research, treatments, care centers, summer camps, education, advocacy, and support for children and adults living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and other neuromuscular diseases.
Today, Centralia Fire Fighters Local 618 is proud to carry on that tradition right here at home.
Every dollar dropped into one of our boots becomes part of something much bigger — more than seven decades of firefighters standing together with families affected by neuromuscular disease.
To everyone who stopped, waved, honked, donated, or simply helped spread the word today: THANK YOU!
Centralia has always supported its firefighters, and we’re proud to have the opportunity to give that support back.
🥾 Fill the Boot.
🚒 IAFF Local 618.
❤️ For MDA — until cures are found.
#FillTheBoot #MDA #IAFF #IAFFLocal618 #CentraliaFirefighters #CentraliaIL #MuscularDystrophyAssociation #FirefightersForMDA #UnionFirefighters ... See MoreSee Less
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🚒 FILL THE BOOT THIS SATURDAY! 🥾❤️
Centralia Firefighters IAFF Local 618 will be out this Saturday, September 5th, collecting donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)!
📅 Saturday, September 5, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 W. Broadway & Pullen — Centralia
If you’re out and about Saturday, keep an eye out for your Centralia Firefighters and our boots! Wave, honk, and toss a few dollars in the boot! 🚒🥾
Every dollar collected goes toward MDA and helps support research, care, and families affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases.
💵 No donation is too small — every dollar makes a difference!
Help us FILL THE BOOT and show what the Centralia community can do when we come together! ❤️
We’ll see you Saturday!
#FillTheBoot #MDA #IAFF #Local618 #CentraliaFirefighters #CentraliaIL #SupportMDA ... See MoreSee Less
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Come out and see us at the corner of Broadway and Pullen this Saturday. It’s for a great cause and every little bit helps. The MDA does tremendous work helping those suffering from muscular dystrophy. ... See MoreSee Less
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Local 618 firefighters were out today setting up the MABAS tent for the 37th Annual Balloon Fest!
The tent will serve as a care shelter for attendees throughout the festival, providing a safe place for anyone who may need a break from the heat or other assistance during the event.
We’re proud to help support a safe and enjoyable Balloon Fest for our community and everyone visiting this weekend.
Have a great time, stay safe, and enjoy the balloons! ... See MoreSee Less
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Happy Birthday, Lieutenant Jordan Parson!
Please join us in wishing Lieutenant Jordan Parson a very happy birthday!
Jordan joined the Centralia Fire Department in 2018 and has continued to serve our department and community with dedication and professionalism.
We hope you have a great birthday, Thank you for everything you do for the department and the citizens we serve. ... See MoreSee Less
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Shift 3 found a way to mix training with a little friendly competition today with a game of Pop Darts—in full turnout gear and SCBA.
Being able to perform normal, everyday tasks while fully geared up is an important part of staying proficient. Working in our gear increases our comfort level, improves dexterity while wearing gloves, and helps us become more accustomed to moving, communicating, and functioning while wearing SCBA. The more natural the equipment feels, the better prepared we are when it matters.
And with temperatures hitting around 100 degrees outside, it definitely added another element to the challenge. The heat doesn’t stop the training—we push through and get the work in.
Of course, there also had to be something on the line.
Lt. Tate defeated Capt. Gelsinger with a T-nobber for the victory, which means Station 1 will be cooking for Station 2 next shift.
Training, competition, and bragging rights. Just another day on Shift 3. ... See MoreSee Less
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The City of Centralia Fire Department is accepting applications for our Initial Eligibility List Testing.
📅 Testing Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
If you are interested in a challenging and rewarding career serving the City of Centralia, we encourage you to apply.
For application information, testing requirements, and deadlines, please visit: centraliafire.org/
We look forward to welcoming the next generation of firefighters to the Centralia Fire Department.
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Centralia Fire Department | Ignite Your Career
centraliafire.org
Centralia FireDepartment Ignite Your Career Next Test Date | October 24, 2026 | 9 am Apply Now Firepay 2027 Starting Salary After 1 Year AmazingBenefits Health & Life Insurance Health Insurance Employ...0 CommentsComment on Facebook