The Western Illinois Museum, in collaboration with the One Book One Community Festival, will host a community conversation on historic fires in McDonough County with Fire Chief Dan Meyer on Thursday, April 23, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, followed by a pizza supper at the Museum.
The program is offered to explore the 2026 One Book One Community theme, “Fire, Light and Warmth, Danger and Destruction.” This year’s selected readings explore how fire, while destructive, can also serve as a catalyst for reform, innovation, and community resilience.
Sue Scott will share public records documenting significant fires in McDonough County, and Chief Meyer will examine how each event influenced local firefighting practices, policy and building codes.
Drawing from major fires spanning over 80 years, Chief Meyer and Scott will explore the causes and longterm effects of each event. Using historic photographs and primary documentation, they will guide a conversation about what changed as a result of these incidents and how those changes continue to shape public safety today.
Fires featured in the discussion include:
• The 2010 fire at Chelsea’s Hallmark
• The 2000 Chandler Block fire
• The 1941 fire at Macomb Motors (now the Museum building) The Western Illinois Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating a deeper understanding of history, culture, and traditions, sparking curiosity that connects us to the past, each other, and the values that shape our community. As a lively community gathering place, the Museum offers exhibits, an open collection area, lectures, music, and various programs in a historic setting.
For more information, call 309-837-2750, text 309-837-2613, or email [email protected]. The Museum is located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square. The building is fully accessible, and free accessible parking is available.
About Chief Dan Meyer Dan Meyer wanted to be a firefighter for as long as he could remember, going all the way back to his days as a Cub Scout. He turned that dream into a career after attending Southeastern Community College and graduating from Western Illinois University in 1999 with a degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration.
He was hired by the Macomb Fire Department in February 2001 and has proudly served the Macomb community ever since. He has been part of the HazMat and Technical Rescue Teams and has worked as a Fire Investigator since 2014. Chief Meyer is also certified at the technician level in HazMat, Confined Space, Structural Collapse, Trench, and Rope Rescue.
In August 2021, he was honored to step into the role of Fire Chief. Since then, he has focused on advancing the department through training and the implementation of new technology. One of Chief Meyer’s goals is to strengthen the Community Risk Reduction program through inspections, education, and code development.
One Book One Community
One Book One Community Festival aims to create a sense of community through shared book-based experiences. Fostering a love for reading, promoting literacy, and celebrating the power of storytelling, the festival provides a platform for diverse voices and perspectives, encouraging dialogue and understanding.
About the Shared Community Action Group
The Shared Community Action (SCA) Group is composed of leaders of civic and religious organizations who first came together as the Moving Macomb Forward Committee.
The SCA’s goal is to strengthen long-term dialogue and cooperation among the diverse members of the Macomb community. It seeks to develop ways individuals and organizations can contribute to an equitable, just, healthy, and strong community, and to confront barriers that keep community members apart and undermine community- building.
The SCA is committed to working with everyone in Macomb who supports its goals, recognizes the human dignity of each of its residents and visitors, and wants to take up the challenge of an ever-deepening dedication to justice and equity.
