Marine Lance Cpl. Robert J. Newton Funeral Procession
Sept. 1, 2010

The City of East Peoria expresses deepest sympathy to the Newton Family, and thanks RJ for his service to our country.

Escorted by motorcyclists from the Patriot Guard Riders, a hearse and limousine from Dieters Funeral Home travels under an American flag draped on the I-474 overpass by members of the East Peoria and Creve Coeur fire departments. The procession left from the Air National Guard Unit in Bartonville and drove along I-474 to Route 29, then on Route 29 through Creve Coeur to the funeral home in East Peoria. The streets of Creve Coeur and East Peoria were lined with people wishing to pay their respects.

A Creve Coeur fire engine, with a large mourning wreath on the front, is followed in the procession by two East Peoria Police squad cars.

East Peoria Police and Creve Coeur Fire Department vehicles pass under the American flag draped on the overpass by East Peoria and Creve Coeur firefighters. These vehicles were followed by more than 100 vehicles driven by military and police agencies, and family members and friends of R.J. Newton.

Welcoming home the troops
July 29, 2010

East Peoria firefighters unfurl a large flag from the Pinecrest Drive overpass above Interstate 474 as motorcyclists from the Patriot Guard Riders and the Brothers in Arms motorcycle club lead two busses carrying members of the U.S. Army Reserve's 724th Transportation Company back to their base in Bartonville. The troops were returning home after serving for a year in Iraq. In the bottom photo, EPFD members wave at one of the two busses carrying the troops to their home base.

Annual Par-A-Dice Disaster Drill
March 16, 2010

A parking lot full of fire trucks and emergency vehicles at the Par-A-Dice Casino was actually no cause for alarm the morning of March 16. Area public safety agencies were there participating in the annual Par-A-Dice Disaster Drill. The early-morning drill involved the East Peoria and Creve Coeur fire departments, the Central Illinois Emergency Response Team, and Par-A-Dice Hotel-Casino security officers and employees in a mock hostage and fire scenario on the riverboat.

Firefighter Troy Dobbelaire carries fire hose into the Par-A-Dice's service entrance.

Lt. Ryan Beck (left) and Firefighter Kim Riggenbach pull the fire hose through the service area of the Par-A-Dice. Approximately 600 feet of hose was pulled through the building to reach the lowest deck of the riverboat casino. The firefighters also conducted a search and rescue operation on that level.

Firefighters prepare hose to be loaded on Engine 1 following the Par-A-Dice Disaster Drill.

Firefighters load hose onto Engine 1.