04/19/2026
On Friday, April 17th, 2026, the tones dropped for the call no one ever wants to hear:
“All departments and all units in the county are due to respond.”
For a moment, your heart races and your mind runs wild. Then training takes over.
The drive to Lena felt like an eternity. When we arrived, it was worse than we could have imagined. An EF2 tornado had torn through the heart of town, leaving devastation in its path.
But in the middle of that destruction, something powerful stood out: community.
Fire departments from across the county came together, working side by side on rescue efforts, cleanup, and welfare checks. At the same time, the residents of Lena were already there for each other, helping, supporting, and consoling their neighbors without hesitation.
In the face of tragedy, Lena showed exactly what strength and resilience look like. On that day, Lena was a bright spot in a dark storm.
FRFD sends our thoughts and support to everyone impacted.
Lena Fire
Village of Lena, Illinois