2025 Fire Museum Holiday Ornament Pre-Order

Our ornament this year is a 1948 American LaFrance 700 series pumper!

This popular model was purchased by both the City of Aurora and the City of Batavia. This engine had the latest firefighting technology and it was said that you could balance a coin on the hood while the engine was running, the motor was that smooth!

These two engines crossed paths during a devastating fire. On March 26, 1967, the vacant Cotton Mill on North River St. in Downtown Aurora caught on fire. The building scheduled for demolition had its sprinkler system shut off so the fire spread quickly. While Aurora Fire Department worked to quell the Cotton Mill fire with their 1948 American LaFrance the Batavia Fire Department sent their own 1948 American LaFrance to work out of Central Station to respond to any other calls the department received.

Unfortunately, Aurora’s 1948 American LaFrance 700 series pumper was destroyed in the Cotton Mill fire. Assistant Chief Norm Buhrmann, when interviewed about the fire, explained that “the number three truck was attached to a hydrant when the heat became very intense…a set of high tension wires fell on the vehicle.”

To honor these two pumpers that both worked to protect the city of Aurora during a devastating fire, our 2025 Holiday Ornament showcases one town on each side of the ornament. 

Pre-order your ornament today at: https://bit.ly/2025ARFMHolidayOrnament

Ornaments are $20 or 2 for $35. They will be available for pickup or delivery and are expected to arrive around Thanksgiving.

Aurora Regional Fire Museum to Host FREE Eighth Annual Community Hero Day on October 4

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum is excited to host the Eighth Annual Community Hero Day on Saturday, October 4, from 10 AM to 2 PM. This free, family-friendly, event celebrates our community’s heroes with engaging activities, demonstrations, and educational opportunities.

Community Hero Day will feature a wide range of attractions including a touch-a-truck experience, fire truck rides, live fire department demonstrations, free hands-only CPR classes, face painting, and more!

Returning this year! The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board will hold a live fire demonstration at 1 PM. Witness firsthand how quickly fires can spread and learn about the life-saving importance of fire sprinklers.

Event Highlights:

• Touch-a-Truck: Explore over a dozen vehicles from local organizations.

• Fire Truck Rides: Enjoy free rides courtesy of Mrs. O'Leary's Fire Truck Tours

• Fire Station Tours: Tour Aurora’s Central Fire Station, offered by the Aurora Fire Department.

• Hands-Only CPR: Take a free hands-only CPR class to learn how to save a life in an emergency.

• Safety Information Booths: Engage with various community partners.

• Food Vendors: Tasty eats available for purchase from Strawberries BBQ

• Free Museum Admission: Access the Aurora Regional Fire Museum at no cost.

• Live DJ: Enjoy family-friendly music throughout the event.

“This event continues growing year after year and is one of the largest of its kind in the area,” said Brian Failing, executive director of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum. “What started as a way to celebrate our community heroes has evolved into an annual tradition that brings together our community in support of public safety.”

This year’s participants include the Aurora Fire Department, Aurora Police Department, Aurora EMA, Nicor Gas, ComEd, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Dazzo’s, Metra Police, Illinois Tollway, and West & Sons Towing.

Community Hero Day is made possible by the support of our generous sponsors. We extend our deepest thanks to our fire truck ride sponsor, Denova Detect, as well as our gold sponsors, Nicor Gas, Comcast, and Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board, for helping us offer this event free of charge to the community.

Learn Hands-Only CPR at Community Hero Day – October 4

Come for the trucks, stay to save a life! This year’s Annual Community Hero Day at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum is packed with family fun — and a chance to gain a truly life-saving skill. Alongside fire truck rides, firefighter demonstrations, food trucks, and Touch-a-Truck opportunities, you can also learn Hands-Only CPR in a free outdoor class.

Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Location: Aurora Regional Fire Museum (outdoors at Community Hero Day)
Class Times: 10:30 AM | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM | 1:30 PM

Each session lasts about 30–45 minutes and will be taught by Bobby Dobroski of DobroSKILLS CPR, an American Red Cross Licensed Training Provider who regularly teaches classes here at the museum.

Important Notes:

• This is a hands-on class only – no online learning required.

• The Hands-Only CPR course is not OSHA-approved. If you need CPR for workplace requirements, you’ll need a full certification such as Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED.

Spots are limited!
Register today for your free CPR class: dobroskills.net/free-cpr-class

For more information about additional CPR training at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, visit: dobroskills.net/arfm

Aurora Regional Fire Museum to Host Traveling 9/11 Exhibit

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum is honored to host America United: The Days After 9/11, a powerful traveling exhibit opening to the public on  Tuesday, June 3. Created by the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, the exhibit explores the national response to the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

“As we approach the 24th anniversary of that tragic day, I hope this exhibit serves as a space for reflection and conversation across generations,” said Brian Failing, Executive Director of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum. “For those who remember, it is a moment to honor and reflect; for those born since, it is a chance to learn and understand. We have a responsibility to ensure the memory of 9/11—and the stories of courage, loss, and unity—are never forgotten.”

While the exhibit includes a timeline of the day’s events, its focus is on what came after: the emotions, resilience, and acts of unity that followed. Two interactive tables prompt visitors to reflect on themes of compassion, community, and what it means to be American. The centerpiece includes two steel beams recovered from the World Trade Center. The exhibit is appropriate for all ages.

“The Aurora Regional Fire Museum continues to serve as a powerful place of remembrance and education,” said Aurora Fire Chief David McCabe. “This exhibit honors the memory of those lost while inspiring new generations to reflect, learn, and lead with compassion.”

The public is invited to a special welcome ceremony at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 2 at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum. Members of the Aurora Fire and Police Departments will escort the exhibit to the museum, where it will be received by the Aurora Fire Department Honor Guard. Brief remarks will follow.

America United will remain on display through Saturday, September 13. Additional artifacts and stories from the Museum’s own 9/11 collection will also be featured.

Aurora Regional Fire Museum to Host FREE Seventh Annual Community Hero Day on Saturday

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum is excited to host the Seventh Annual Community Hero Day on Saturday, October 5, from 10 AM to 2 PM. This free, family-friendly event, presented by First Alert, celebrates our community’s heroes with engaging activities, demonstrations, and educational opportunities.

 Community Hero Day will feature a wide range of attractions including a touch-a-truck experience, fire truck rides, live fire department demonstrations, free hands-only CPR classes, face painting, and more!

 Returning this year! The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board will hold a live fire demonstration at 1 PM. Witness firsthand how quickly fires can spread and learn about the life-saving importance of fire sprinklers.

Event Highlights:

• Touch-a-Truck: Explore over a dozen vehicles from 14 local organizations.

• Fire Truck Rides: Enjoy free rides courtesy of Mrs. O'Leary's Fire Truck Tours

• Fire Station Tours: Tour Aurora’s Central Fire Station, offered by the Aurora Fire Department.

• Safety Information Booths: Engage with various community partners.

• Food Vendors: Tasty eats available for purchase from Strawberries BBQ & Home Run Hot Dogs.

• Free Museum Admission: Access the Aurora Regional Fire Museum at no cost.

• Live DJ: Enjoy family-friendly music throughout the event.

“This event has grown into one of the largest of its kind in the area,” said Brian Failing, executive director of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum. “What started as a way to celebrate our community heroes has evolved into an annual tradition that brings together nearly 50 organizations in support of public safety.”

This year’s participants include the Aurora Fire Department, Aurora Police Department, Aurora EMA, Nicor Gas, ComEd, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Dazzo’s, Groot, Metra Police, Illinois Tollway, Illinois Army National Guard, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

 Community Hero Day is made possible by the support of our generous sponsors. We extend our deepest thanks to our presenting sponsor, First Alert, and our platinum sponsor, ATI Restoration, for helping us offer this event free of charge to the community.