Welcome to Savanna, Illinois
Welcome to the official website of the City of Savanna, Illinois. This site is dedicated to providing valuable information and resources for the community of Savanna, Illinois. Explore our site to learn more about local events, government services, and community initiatives. We are committed to serving the needs of Savanna residents and visitors alike.
Fire/EMS/Crime Stoppers
​Fire Department
Emergency Phone: 911
Fire Non-Emergency: (815) 273-2248
Fire Dept FAX: (815) 273-0440
Email: s.savannafiredept@mchsi.com
Mailing Address: 101 Main Street
Savanna, Illinois 61074
Crime Stoppers
Phone: 815-244-7867
Police, Fire and EMS Brochure Download
Ambulance EMS
Emergency Phone: 911
Non-Emergency: 815-273-2246
Fax: 815-273-3008
Email: savannaems@grics.net
Mailing Address: 827 Chicago Avenue
Savanna, Illinois 61074
Savanna Fire Department
Since the first Hose Carts and Hook and Ladder Company in 1887, a group of local individuals have put their lives “on-hold” and “on-the-line” to help protect their neighbor’s lives and property. The principles that brought those neighbors together over 135 years years ago still hold true today. The Savanna Fire Department consist of one full-time chief and 36 paid-per-call volunteer firefighters. These firefighters are dedicated to the City of Savanna and the Savanna Fire Protection District that they serve. The Savanna Fire Protection District includes 52 square miles around the City of Savanna including the Mississippi River and the Mississippi Palisades State Park.
The SFD responds to an average of 125 calls per year that includes not only a variety of fire calls but they also respond for calls to assist the ambulance, carbon monoxide alarms, gas odor/leak/spill, motor vehicle accidents, storm damage, water rescue and boater assist.
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They currently have two Engines, two Pumper/Tankers, two Brush Trucks, one Rescue Truck, one Aerial Truck, one Command vehicle and two rescue boats. All this equipment was supplied by either the volunteers through fund raisers such as the annual pancake breakfast and equipment was also purchased by the City of Savanna and the Fire District. Since 2001, the Savanna Fire Dept. has received $441,317 of grant funds and the Savanna Fireman’s Association has raised over $470,000 for equipment, training, and vehicles dating back to 1983. Savanna is also home of The NW Carroll County Fire Training Center since 2019. Funded by the Savanna, Mt Carroll, and Thomson Fire Departments, this 1600 square foot structure is designed to replicate a 2-story residential home. Four 40-foot and two 20-foot shipping containers have been assembled and modified to create a kitchen, bathroom, and five additional rooms that can be set up to resemble any room found in a typical home...including a 16' x 20' attached garage.In the spring of 2023, the Savanna Fire Dept. was instrumental in maintaining the 1,280-foot flood wall on J.B. Sullivan Drive which included 60,000 sandbags. The SFD worked around the clock to maintain the pumps and logged 1,330 hours of volunteer service free of charge.
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Savanna Volunteer Fire Dept.
Chief—Scott Wolfe
Assistant Chiefs—Scott Parker, Thomas Ritchie,
Captains—Kurt Arno, Curt Hockman, Vinnie Popkin, Kevin Reusch, Raymond Skiles,
Lieutenants— J.C. Carey, Dwayne Ferguson
Training Officer—Jacob Helms
Engineer—Larry Hoertz, Ron Meinsma, Shawn Picolotti,
Firefighters—Brian Boyer, Curtis Breuning, Blake Budimlija, Colt Carrier, Eric Christensen, Jamie Dykstra, Tad Foster, Gene Gonyier, Shane Griffith, John Heffelfinger, James Johnson, Curtis Koch, Bradley Kosier, Tim McWethy, Ryan Miller, Elliott Mills, Ethan Ritchie, Nathan Rubio, Matt Shaw, John Vernon, Mike York, Jay Zickau.
The Savanna Volunteer Fire Department Association is always taking applications for the department. Requirements for applications to be accepted are as following.
1. Must be a resident of the City of Savanna or the Fire Department District.
2. Must possess a valid Illinois Drivers License.
3. Must be 21 years of age at application.
Anyone interested can pick up an application at the Savanna Fire Station at the Dispatch Desk during normal working hours. Firefighters have a meeting on the 3rd Monday of each month, and training on the 4th Monday of each month. Any person interested in seeing the station or in being a Firefighter, stop by during training and chat with us.
Savanna Ambulance Association
The Savanna Community Ambulance Association is a not for profit association that contracts EMS services to both the City of Savanna and the Savanna Fire Protection District. Savanna Ambulance is licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health as a Paramedic level service, working under the OSF Northern Illinois EMS system (St Anthony Medical Center, Rockford, Illinois).
The service has two ambulances, 1-E-13, is a 2016 Ford/Horton and is licensed at the Paramedic level, and 1-E-15 is a 2000 Ford/Medtec
Prior to the late 1960s, pre-hospital care in Savanna—like much of rural America—was provided by local funeral homes using converted hearses. Following the 1966 National Highway Safety Act, new federal regulations changed how emergency medical services operated. By the early 1970s, the Savanna funeral home and later a local cab company ceased ambulance operations due to increasing regulations and reimbursement challenges.
On June 1, 1973, the Savanna Fire Department temporarily assumed ambulance services while alternatives were explored. That same year, H. Lee Riffe and Milo Reed became Savanna’s first EMTs. In August 1973, Mayor Don Nehkorn appointed a board to establish a volunteer ambulance service, later expanding it into the Savanna Community Ambulance Service to include rural representation. A dedicated group of volunteers staffed the service, and the first ambulance—an old rented hearse—was housed at the fire department.
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Through community fundraising and a federal grant, the board purchased its first official ambulance in December 1973: a 1973 Dodge Medicruser fully equipped to federal standards. As the service grew, it became clear that professional billing and administration were essential. Transitioning billing to City Hall greatly improved financial stability and reinforced the ambulance service as a vital community operation.
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In 1974, a new fire station provided space for the ambulance, but by the early 1980s, plans began for a standalone facility. A major advancement in patient care occurred in 1988 when the service upgraded to the intermediate level and joined the Northern Illinois Mobile Intensive Care Program (now OSF Northern Illinois EMS). In 1989, Savanna Community Ambulance became the first service in Carroll County to achieve paramedic-level care.
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In 1995, the organization purchased land for its own EMS building. With extensive volunteer labor, the new facility was completed and occupied in spring 1996. The building includes garage space for ambulances, a handicapped-accessible office, and a modern training room—marking a major step forward in serving the Savanna community.
Crime Stoppers
(815) 244-7867
Help us stop crime by arresting criminals. Learn how Crime Stoppers works and how you can earn extra cash.
How does crime stoppers work?
Since 1988 the Carroll County Crime Stoppers has been making a positive impact on crime in our area. As the result of tips from anonymous callers, Crime Stoppers has assisted local law enforcement in the arrest of numerous felons; has paid out thousands of dollars in cash rewards and has assisted in the recovery of thousands of dollars in narcotics and stolen property. With the assistance of local media, Crime Stoppers has become well known in Carroll County.
Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards of up to $1,000.00 to persons who provide information which results in a felony arrest of the apprehension of a fugitive. You don't have to give your name.
Who answers the Crime Stoppers tip line?
Highly trained dispatchers at the Carroll County Sheriff's Department answer the Crime Stoppers tip line, 244-STOP (244-7867).
Is the Crime Stoppers tip line recorded?
No, the tip line is not recorded and it can not be traced. Your call is completely anonymous.
What is done with the information once it is given to the dispatcher?
Your information is given to the law enforcement agency, which has jurisdiction where the crime occurred. Additionally, all drug information is forwarded to the Blackhawk Area Task Force. Those answering the tip line do not investigate the crimes, they just pass the information on.
If you don't know my name, how do I get paid?
When you call in with information, a short report is written and you are given a code number. If your information leads to a felony arrest, you can claim your reward by supplying that number.
How much money do I get and when do I get paid? The Carroll County Crime Stoppers Board and president meet every other month and discuss each case to determine the reward amount. There is no set guidelines which determine the amount for a given crime. Once the board agrees on a payment a reward is issued. The caller calls back at a prearranged date and time and arrangements are made to give their code number and receive their reward - no questions asked. Occasionally a meeting would be arranged at some public place where the exchange would be made. The caller must remember the code number.
How is Crime Stoppers funded?
Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization. The board is made up of concerned citizens who work hard to raise funds. Donations are received from communities, businesses and individuals. Additionally, the law allows a Crime Stopper assessment to be made by the court on those individuals convicted of crimes.Carroll County Crime Stoppers function is to pass on information regarding criminal activity. Crime Stoppers does not take reports of crimes from victims. If you are the victim of a crime, please report it to the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction where the crime took place. If it is an emergency, please call 911. If you are not sure who has jurisdiction, fell free to call the Carroll County Sheriff's Department or the Savanna Police Department for assistance.
The Carroll County Crime Stoppers tip line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The above information was received from Deputy Ryan Kloepping of the Carroll County Sheriff's Department. If you have any questions about the Carroll County Crime Stoppers, please contact Deputy Ryan Kloepping at the Carroll County Sheriff's Department, (815) 244-9171