THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT RELEASE
ABOVE: Danville Fire Department Training File Photo
DANVILLE, Ill. – The Danville Fire Department will host two major training events in downtown Danville this month, bringing firefighters from across the region to train at 125 N. Vermilion St. on March 21-22 and again on March 28-29, 2026.
The first event will feature the Illinois Fire Service Institute on Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22. Crews will be in the area from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day setting up training grounds and conducting drills. During those hours, the parking lot behind the structure and the alley immediately east of Vermilion Street
in that area will be closed so students can operate safely.
Access to Obsidian Coffee will remain open from the alley, and customers may park in the United Refrigeration parking lot during the training period.
Danville Fire Department will then host the nationally recognized Nozzle Forward class on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29. This course focuses on hose management skills, with students operating hose lines under pressure and flowing water within structures. For this event, the same parking lot and alley
closures will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.
More than 50 students are expected to attend the Nozzle Forward class, with firefighters traveling from Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio, and Wisconsin. During this training, firefighters will be flowing large volumes of water in the area around 125 N. Vermilion St. and 124 N. Hazel St. Businesses and residents nearby may notice temporary discoloration in their water as increased flow can stir sediment in the water lines.
The department thanks Aqua Illinois for supporting this class by providing water for training operations and supplying bottled water for students. Additional class sponsors include Key Hose, Elkhart Brass, and Ross Webb – State Farm Insurance.
Training at 125 N. Vermilion St. holds special meaning for the Danville Fire Department. On February 17, 1915, Firefighters Albert H. Holmes and Albert F. Shanks died in the line of duty while fighting a fire at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall on North Vermilion Street. The two firefighters were killed when a wall collapsed while they were standing on a second-story fire escape and directing a hose stream through a window. Four other firefighters were injured in the collapse, and five workers were injured in a second collapse on February 19 while clearing debris from the fire scene.
Joint funeral services for Holmes and Shanks were held at First Methodist Church on February 19, 1915. Holmes was laid to rest at Spring Hill Cemetery, and Shanks was laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery. In tribute to the fallen firefighters, businesses and factories throughout Danville were encouraged to close during the funeral processions.
A bell ceremony conducted by the Danville Fire Department Honor Guard will take place at approximately 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at 125 N. Vermilion St. to honor the commitment and sacrifice of Holmes and Shanks. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
For Danville firefighters, training at this location and honoring these two men is a meaningful way to ensure the place that claimed the lives of two of our brothers is never forgotten. Over the course of the past several months, the site will have helped train more than 100 firefighters.
Training schedule summary:
Date Training Operational impact:
March 21-22: Illinois Fire Service Institute Area; active 6 a.m.-6 p.m.; parking lot and alley east of Vermilion closed; Obsidian Coffee access remains open.
March 28-29: Nozzle Forward Area active 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; same closures; large-volume water flow near 125 N. Vermilion and 124 N. Hazel.
About the Danville Fire Department
The Danville Fire Department serves the City of Danville and surrounding area with fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical services. The department remains committed to serving it’s community, continuous training, and strong partnerships that blend both of those aspects.
