East Alton Fire Chief Emphasizes Crucial Mutual Aid System

EAST ALTON - East Alton Fire Chief Jeremy Diveley reflected on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, about the massive fire in the Wilshire Strip Mall early Tuesday morning, Feb. 24, 2026. One point he wanted to emphasize was how important all the fire agencies were when the box alarms went out for the fire.

He also stressed the importance of the system for East Alton and other departments in the region.

“The mutual aid system we utilize is vital to small departments like ours,” Diveley said, adding that his department has a “good working relationship with all the local fire departments in the area, especially Wood River." He said Wood River and East Alton cooperate on many different fires that occur in their regions.

Diveley said he had shoulder surgery last week and reached out to Wood River Fire Chief Wade Stahlhut for assistance at the Wilshire fire.

“I reached out to Chief Stahlhut and let him know about my surgery and asked for his help if something like this came up. This is something we do with each other when either he or his deputy chief is out or on vacation. We are in constant communication with each other and know what to expect in advance,” Diveley said.

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Diveley described the response on Tuesday as a coordinated effort under the box alarm system.

“It is invaluable when it works as it should," he said of the Tuesday fire. "We had eight units responding, and everyone knows what to do and what to expect. It is a remarkable testament to the fire service, our personnel, and the training. It showed how seriously they all take this job and the professionalism they present. You always have each other's back."

Diveley said the size and scope of the incident stood out in this area. “This is one of the bigger fires many of the firefighters might respond to in their careers."

Under the box alarm, Diveley said Wood River, Roxana, Alton, Godfrey, Rosewood Heights, Mitchell, Bethalto, and Edwardsville joined East Alton at the scene.

"We lean on our training in these situations,” Diveley said.

The fire chief thanked all the different departments for their professionalism and efforts in battling the Wilshire Strip Mall fire.

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