Chicago Fire Department

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Chicago Fire Department (CFD)
"We're There When You Need Us"
Operational Area
Country United States
State  Illinois
City Chicago
Agency Overview
Established August 2, 1858
Annual calls ~500,000
Employees 5,143
Commissioner Jose A. Santiago
IAFF 2
Facilities & Equipment
Battalions 24
Stations 98 (Including 1 Fireboat Station)
Engines 97
Trucks 61
Squads 4
Helicopters 2
Fireboats 2
Ambulances 60 ALS & 15 BLS
HAZMAT 2
EMS Level ALS & BLS
Website
www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cfd.html
www.iaff-local2.org/index

The Chicago Fire Department (CFD) provides fire suppression and emergency medical services to the city of Chicago, Illinois, United States, under the jurisdiction of the Mayor of Chicago. The Chicago Fire Department is the third largest municipal fire department in the United States after the New York City Fire Department and Cal Fire, as measured by sworn personnel. It is also one of the oldest major organized fire departments in the nation.

The Chicago Fire Department is led by the Fire Commissioner, who is currently Jose A. Santiago. The Fire Commissioner is appointed by the Mayor. The Fire Commissioner is assisted by the First Deputy Commissioner, who is currently Charles Stewart III, who oversees the department's bureaus. There are currently four bureaus under the First Deputy Commissioner: Operations, Fire Prevention, Administrative Services & Logistics.

The Chicago Fire Department receives over 500,000 emergency calls annually.

The Chicago Fire Department cooperated with film director Ron Howard on making the 1991 film Backdraft, starring Kurt Russell, William Baldwin and Robert De Niro.

Organization

Chicago firefighters responding to a call on Michigan Ave. wearing pre-2006 turnout gear.

Rank Structure

Fire Suppression & Rescue Division

  • Candidate Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician
  • Firefighter/EMT
  • Firefighter/Paramedic
  • Engineer
  • Lieutenant
  • Captain
  • Battalion Chief

The following positions are appointed by the Fire Commissioner:

  • Deputy District Chief
  • District Chief
  • Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner
  • Deputy Fire Commissioner
  • First Deputy Fire Commissioner

Emergency Medical Services

  • Candidate Fire Paramedic
  • Fire Paramedic
  • Paramedic in Charge
  • Paramedic Ambulance Commander
  • Paramedic Field Chief

The following position are appointed by the Fire Commissioner:

  • Assistant Deputy Chief Paramedic

Bureaus

Operations

The Bureau of Operations is the largest Bureau within the Chicago Fire Department. The Bureau of Operations commands the following Divisions: Fire Suppression & Rescue, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Special Operations, and the Office of Fire Investigation (O.F.I.). The Bureau of Operations is composed of over 4,500 Firefighters and Paramedics and is commanded by a Deputy Fire Commissioner.[1]

Administrative Services

The Bureau of Administrative Services commands the following Divisions: Personnel, Training, the Photo Unit, and the Employee Assistance Program. Administrative Services is commanded by a Deputy Fire Commissioner.[2]

Support Services

The Bureau of Support Services commands the following Divisions: Support & Logistics(EMS), Equipment & Supply, Building & Property Management, Record, and Management Information Systems/Technology. Support Services is commanded by a Deputy Fire Commissioner.

Fire Prevention

The Bureau of Fire Prevention commands the following Divisions: Code Compliance and Inspections. Fire Prevention is commanded by a Deputy Fire Commissioner.[3]

Employee Relations

The Bureau of Employee Relations commands the following Divisions: Labor Relations, Staff/Human Relations, the Pension Board, and Regulatory Compliance. Employee Relations is commanded by a Deputy Fire Commissioner.[4]

Fire Station and Apparatus Locations

The Chicago Fire Department is organized into 5 Districts, which command a total of 24 Battalions and a Special Operations Battalion.[5][6]

(*) Denotes an Advanced Life Support (Paramedic-staffed) company. All CFD Engines, Trucks, and Ambulances are Basic Life Support (EMT-staffed) units at a minimum.

North Fire Division

The 1st and 2nd Districts are commanded by the Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner of the North Fire Division.

1st District

The 1st District commands a total of 7 Battalions and the Special Operations Battalion (5-1-5).

Battalion 1
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 1* Aerial Tower 1 Ambulance 41* 419 S. Wells St.
Engine 2(Fireboat "Christopher Wheatley"), Engine 58(Reserve Fireboat "Victor L. Schlaeger") 6-8-8(Fast Boat "Eugene Blackmon") 250 N. Breakwater Access
Engine 13* Truck 6 6-8-6(Deputy District Chief, SCUBA), 4-5-1(Paramedic Field Chief), 6-8-7(SCUBA Team Unit) Battalion 1 259 N. Columbus Dr.
Engine 42 Truck 3 Ambulance 42*, Ambulance 93 Squad 1, 2-7-1(Command Van) 55 W. Illinois St.
Engine 98* Ambulance 11* 202 E. Chicago Ave.
Battalion 2
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 8* Truck 4 Ambulance 85 Battalion 2 212 W. Cermak Rd.
Engine 16 Ambulance 35* 4-4-12(Asst. Deputy Chief Paramedic, Field Division South), 5-1-0(Deputy District Chief, Haz-Mat.), 5-1-1(Haz-Mat. Incident Team 1), 5-1-1A(Haz-Mat. Incident Team Support Unit), 5-1-11(Haz-Mat. Mobile Lab) 53 E. Pershing Rd.
Engine 19* Truck 11 Ambulance 4* 3421 S. Calumet Ave.
Engine 29* 3509 S. Lowe Ave.
Battalion 3
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 4* Tower Ladder 10 5-6-1(Jump Bag/Trash Pump Unit), 6-2-4(Dry Chemical Unit) 548 W. Division St.
Engine 14 Truck 19 Ambulance 53* 5-2-2(Collapse Rescue Lumber Unit) Battalion 3 1129 W. Chicago Ave.
Engine 22 Ambulance 43* 5-3-0(Haz-Mat. Decon. Unit) 605 W. Armitage Ave.
Engine 30* 1125 N. Ashland Ave.
6-4-0(Deputy District Chief, Breathing Apparatus), 6-4-4(Breathing Apparatus Bottle Truck), 6-4-5(Breathing Apparatus Bottle Truck), 6-4-6(Breathing Apparatus Bottle Truck) 1044 N. Orleans St.
Battalion 4
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 5 Truck 2* Ambulance 28* 5-2-1(Collapse Rescue Unit) 5-1-5(Special Operations Battalion) 324 S. Des Plaines St.
Engine 18* Ambulance 84 2-2-1(Deputy District Chief, 1st District), 4-5-7(Paramedic Field Chief), 6-4-16(High-Rise Response Unit) 1360 S. Blue Island Ave.
Engine 23* Tower Ladder 5 8-8-4(Mass Casualty Unit) Battalion 4 1915 S. Damen Ave.
Engine 26* Truck 7 Ambulance 45* 6-1-2(Hose Wagon), 6-3-1(High Expansion Foam Unit) 10 N. Leavitt St.
Engine 103 25 S. Laflin St.
Battalion 12
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 35 Truck 28 Ambulance 81 6-6-1(Reserve Snorkel Unit) 1901 N. Damen Ave.
Engine 43* Ambulance 3* 2179 N. Stave St.
Engine 44 Truck 36* Ambulance 83 4-4-11(Asst. Deputy Chief Paramedic, Field Division North) 412 N. Kedzie Ave.
Engine 57* Ambulance 44* Battalion 12 1244 N. Western Ave.
Battalion 13
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 95* Truck 26 Ambulance 10* Battalion 13 4001 W. West End Ave.
Engine 96 Truck 29* 439 N. Waller Ave.
Engine 113* Ambulance 23* 5212 W. Harrison St.
Engine 117* Tower Ladder 14 Ambulance 15* 4-5-4(Paramedic Field Chief) 4900 W. Chicago Ave.
Battalion 14
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 38* Truck 48 4-6-6(Supervising Fire Marshall), 4-6-7(Fire Marshall), 4-6-8(Fire Marshall), 4-6-9(Fire Marshall) 3958 W. 16th St.
Engine 99 Ambulance 86 3042 S. Kedvale Ave.
Engine 107 Ambulance 33* 8-8-11(Oxygen Treatment Bus), 9-2-1(Smoke Ejector Unit) 1101 S. California Ave.
Engine 109 Truck 32* Ambulance 34* Battalion 14 2343 S. Kedzie Ave.

2nd District

Battalion 5
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 55* Truck 44 8-8-2(Mass Casualty Unit) Battalion 5 2714 N. Halsted St.
Engine 56 2214 W. Barry Ave.
Engine 78* Ambulance 6* 1052 W. Waveland Ave.
Engine 112 Tower Ladder 21 Ambulance 80 4-5-2(Paramedic Field Chief), 2-7-2(Command Van) 3801 N. Damen Ave.
Battalion 7
Quarters of Engine 7, Truck 58, Ambulance 7 at 4911 W. Belmont Ave.
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 7 Truck 58* Ambulance 7* 4911 W. Belmont Ave.
Engine 76* Truck 35 Ambulance 52* 1747 N. Pulaski Rd.
Engine 91* Squad 2, 5-2-6(Tunnel Rescue Unit) Battalion 7 2827 N. Pulaski Rd.
Engine 106* Truck 13 Ambulance 48* 4-0-1(Support Services Canteen Unit 1), 9-2-3(Mobile Ventilation Unit) 3401 N. Elston Ave.
Battalion 8
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 68* Ambulance 82 5-7-2(Rehab. Unit) 5258 W. Grand Ave.
Engine 86 Truck 57 Ambulance 20* 3918 N. Harlem Ave.
Engine 94 5758 W. Grace St.
Engine 125* Truck 53 Battalion 8 2323 N. Natchez Ave.
Battalion 9
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 59*, Engine 70 Truck 47* Ambulance 13* Battalion 9 6030 N. Clark St.
Engine 71* 6239 N. California Ave.
Engine 83* Truck 22 Ambulance 31* 9-1-3(Light Wagon) 1200 W. Wilson Ave.
Engine 102* Truck 25 Ambulance 56* 7340 N. Clark St.
Battalion 10
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 69 4017 N. Tripp Ave.
Engine 89 Truck 56 ResCare Unit 89 3945 W. Peterson Ave.
Engine 110 Truck 12* Ambulance 40* 2322 W. Foster Ave.
Engine 124* Truck 38 Ambulance 32* 5-6-2(Jump Bag/Trash Pump Unit) Battalion 10 4426 N. Kedzie Ave.
Battalion 11
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 11* Truck 9 Ambulance 2* 4-0-7(Salvation Army Canteen Unit) 5343 N. Cumberland Ave.
Engine 79* Ambulance 92 4-5-3(Paramedic Field Chief) 6424 N. Lehigh Ave.
Engine 108* Tower Ladder 23 Ambulance 47* 2-2-2(Deputy District Chief, 2nd District), 6-7-3(Deluge Unit) 4559 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Engine 119 Truck 55* Ambulance 39* Battalion 11 6030 N. Avondale Ave.

South Fire Division

The 5th and 6th Districts are commanded by the Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner for the South Fire Division.

5th District

Battalion 15
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 28 Truck 8 Ambulance 19* 6-3-2(Bulk Foam Carrier Unit), 9-1-5(Light Wagon) 2528 S. Throop St.
Engine 39* Battalion 15 1618 W. 33rd Pl.
Engine 49* Truck 33 Ambulance 87 2-7-3(Command Van), 5-7-1(Rehab. Unit) 4401 S. Ashland Ave.
Engine 65* Truck 52 Ambulance 88 3002 W. 42nd St.
Battalion 16
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 32 Truck 60* Ambulance 12* 5555 S. Narragansett Ave.
Engine 34* Tower Ladder 54 Ambulance 21* 4034 W. 47th St.
Engine 127* Ambulance 54* 6-5-1(ARFF Crash Unit), 6-5-2(ARFF Crash Unit), 6-3-4(Portable Stairway), 6-3-7(Mini-Pumper), 8-8-6(Mass Casualty) Battalion 16 5200 W. 63rd St.
Battalion 17
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 45 Truck 15 Ambulance 57* 4602 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
Engine 60* Tower Ladder 37 Ambulance 38* 8-8-12(Transport Bus) Battalion 17 1150 E. 55th St.
Engine 63* Truck 16 Ambulance 89 4-5-8(Paramedic Field Chief) 6700 S. Blackstone Ave.
Battalion 18
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 47* Truck 30 Ambulance 55* 5-6-3(Jump Bag/Trash Pump Unit), 8-8-3(Mass Casualty Unit) 432 E. Marquette Rd.
Engine 54* Truck 20 Ambulance 14* Battalion 18 7101 S. Parnell Ave.
Engine 84* Truck 51 Ambulance 36* 2-2-5(Deputy District Chief, 5th District) 21 W. 59th St.
Engine 122* Ambulance 24* 2-7-4(Command Van), 4-0-9(Salvation Army Canteen Unit) 101 E. 79th St.
Battalion 19
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 50* Truck 18 Ambulance 1* 5000 S. Union Ave.
Engine 88* 4-5-5(Paramedic Field Chief), 4-0-6(Salvation Army Canteen Unit) 3637 W. 59th St.
Engine 116* Ambulance 49* Squad 5 5955 S. Ashland Ave.
Engine 123* Tower Ladder 39 Ambulance 8* 9-2-2(Smoke Ejector Unit) Battalion 19 2215 W. 51st St.
Battalion 20
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 15 Truck 59 Ambulance 18* Battalion 20 8028 S. Kedzie Ave.
Engine 64* Truck 31 Ambulance 27* 7659 S. Pulaski Rd.
Engine 101 Truck 41* Ambulance 58*, Ambulance 94 9-1-5(Light Wagon) 2250 W. 69th St.
Engine 129* Truck 50 Ambulance 30* 8120 S. Ashland Ave.

6th District

Battalion 21
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 73* 8630 S. Emerald Ave.
Engine 92 Truck 45* Ambulance 17* 3112 W. 111th St.
Engine 120* Ambulance 91 11035 S. Homewood Ave.
Engine 121* Truck 40* 4-5-6(Paramedic Field Chief) Battalion 21 1700 W. 95th St.
Truck 24* Ambulance 29* 10400 S. Vincennes Ave.
Battalion 22
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 62* Truck 27 Battalion 22 34 E. 114th St.
Engine 75 Ambulance 5* 11958 S. State St.
Engine 80 Truck 62 Ambulance 51* 4-0-2(Support Services Canteen Unit 2) 12701 S. Doty Ave.
Engine 93* Ambulance 60* 330 W. 104th St.
Engine 115* 11940 S. Peoria St.
Battalion 23
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 46* Truck 17 Ambulance 9* 6-2-5(Dry Chemical Unit) 3027 E. 93rd St.
Engine 72* Tower Ladder 34 Ambulance 22* Battalion 23 7974 S. South Chicago Ave.
Engine 82* Truck 42 Ambulance 37* 817 E. 91st St.
Engine 126* Truck 49 Ambulance 50* 7313 S. Kingston Ave.
Battalion 24
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 74* 10615 S. Ewing Ave.
Engine 81 Ambulance 90 2-2-6(Deputy District Chief, 6th District), 6-1-1(Hose Wagon) 10458 S. Hoxie Ave.
Engine 97* 13359 S. Burley Ave.
Engine 104 Truck 61 Ambulance 25* 6-7-6(Deluge Unit), 6-8-10(Rescue Boat) Battalion 24 11659 S. Ave. O

Airport Operations Division

The 3rd District is commanded by the Airport Operations Division District Chief.

3rd District

Battalion 6
Engine Company Truck Company Ambulance Special Unit Battalion Address
Engine 9* Ambulance 59* Squad 7(Heavy Rescue Unit), Squad 7A(Mini-Pumper), 2-2-3(District Chief, Airport Operations), 5-7-3(Rehab. Unit), 8-8-1A(Mass Casualty/EMS Support Unit), 9-2-4(Mobile Ventilation Unit) O'Hare Rescue Station # 3
Engine 10* Ambulance 16* 6-3-5(Portable Stairway Unit), 6-5-4(ARFF Crash Unit), 6-5-5(ARFF Crash Unit) O'Hare Rescue Station # 2
Engine 12 Tower Ladder 63* Ambulance 26* 2-7-8(Airport Command Van), 5-1-2(Haz-Mat. Unit), 6-5-3(ARFF Crash Unit), 6-5-7(ARFF Crash Unit), 6-5-7R(Reserve ARFF Crash Unit), 6-5-8(ARFF Crash Unit), 6-5-10(ARFF Crash Unit), 8-8-1(Mass Casualty Unit) O'Hare Rescue Station # 1
6-5-9(Reserve ARFF Crash Unit) Battalion 6 O'Hare Rescue Station # 4

Out of Service Fire Companies

Below is a list of fire companies that have been placed out of service through the history of the Chicago Fire Department.

  • Engine 3 -
  • Engine 6 -
  • Engine 17 -
  • Engine 20 - 1320 W. Concord Pl. - Out of service in 1992.
  • Engine 21 -
  • Engine 24 -
  • Engine 25 - 543 W. Taylor St. - Out of service in 1978.
  • Engine 27 - 1244 N. Wells St. - Out of service in 1960.
  • Engine 31 -
  • Engine 33 - 2208 N. Clyborn St. - Out of service August 1, 1960.
  • Engine 36 - 2346 W. 25th St. - Out of service September 16, 1967.
  • Engine 37 - Fireboat "Joseph Medill" - Out of service ca. 2001.
  • Engine 40 - 119 N. Franklin St. - Out of service August 1, 1963.
  • Engine 41 - Fireboat "Fredrick Busse" - Out of service October 5, 1981.
  • Engine 48 - 4005 S. Dearborn St. - Out of service September 16, 1965.
  • Engine 51 -
  • Engine 52 - 4710 S. Elizabeth St. - Out of service September 16, 1965.
  • Engine 53 - 5300 S. Packers Ave. - Out of service in July, 1964.
  • Engine 61 - 5349 S. Wabash Ave. - Out of service ?.
  • Engine 66 - 2858 W. Fillmore - Out of service ?.
  • Engine 67 - 4666 W. Fulton St. - Out of service in 1980.
  • Engine 77 - 1244 S. Komensky Ave. - Out of service in 2004.
  • Engine 85 - 3700 W. Huron St. - Out of service in 1981.
  • Engine 87 - 8701 S. Escanaba Ave. - Out of service in 1980.
  • Engine 90 -
  • Engine 100 - 6843 S. Harper Ave. - Out of service March 8, 2004.
  • Engine 105 - 2337 W. Erie St. - Out of service in 1969.
  • Engine 111 -
  • Engine 114 - 3542 W. Fullerton St. - Out of service in 1980.
  • Engine 118 - Midway Airport - Out of service in 1991.
  • Engine 128 - 2100 W. Eastwood St. - Out of service in 1972.
  • Truck 43 -
  • Truck 46 -
  • Snorkel 1 -
  • Snorkel 2 -
  • Snorkel 3 -
  • Snorkel 4 -
  • Snorkel 5 -
  • Snorkel 6 -
  • Snorkel 7 -
  • Snorkel Squad 2 -
  • Snorkel Squad 3 -
  • Squad 3 - Out of service September 19, 1983.
  • Squad 4 - Out of service September 19, 1983.
  • Squad 6 - Out of service September 19, 1983.
  • Squad 7 - 2858 W. Fillmore - Out of service in 1965 to form Snorkel Squad 3.
  • Squad 9 - Out of service in 1968.
  • Squad 10 - Out of service in 1967.
  • Squad 11 - Out of service in 1968.
  • Squad 12 - Out of service in 1964 to form Truck 62.
  • Squad 13 - Out of service in 1967.
  • District 4 - Out of service in 2012.
  • District 7 -
  • District 8 -
  • Fire Patrol 1 - 100 S. Desplaines St.
  • Fire Patrol 2 - 221 W. Walton
  • Fire Patrol 3 - 5004 S. Union Ave.
  • Fire Patrol 4 - 5004 S. Union Ave.
  • Fire Patrol 5 - 1044 N. Orleans St.
  • Fire Patrol 6 - Jackson & Damen
  • Fire Patrol 7 - 3107 W. Fullerton
  • Fire Patrol 8 - 3923 N. Ravenswood

Apparatus

CFD Battalion 1
CFD Tower Ladder 10

Apparatus Profile (2014)

The Chicago Fire Department operates a total fire apparatus fleet of the following:[7][8]

Fire Companies

  • 96 Engines
  • 50 Trucks
  • 10 Tower Ladders (TL5, TL10, TL14, TL21, TL23, TL34, TL37, TL39, TL54, TL63)
  • 1 Aerial Tower (AT1)
  • 4 Squads (SQ1, SQ2, SQ5, SQ7)
  • 2 Fireboats (E2, E58)

Command Units and Chiefs

  • 25 Battalion Chiefs (Including 1 Special Operations Battalion Chief)
  • 8 Paramedic Field Chiefs (EMS Districts)
  • 14 Deputy District Chiefs (1st District, 2nd District, 5th District, 6th District, Hazardous Materials, Breathing Apparatus Service, SCUBA, Communications, Medical Section, Employee Relations, Public Education, Special Events, Air Operations, Commanding Fire Marshal)
  • 8 District Chiefs (3rd District-Airport Operations, Logistics, Executive Assistant, Training, Fire Prevention, Safety, Special Projects, EMS Logistics)
  • 2 Assistant Deputy Chief Paramedics (EMS Field Division North & EMS Field Division South)
  • 4 Assistant Deputy Commissioners (Fire North, Fire South, Special Operations, EMS)
  • 4 Deputy Commissioners (Operations, Administrative Services, Fire Prevention, Logistics)
  • 1 First Deputy Commissioner
  • 1 Commissioner

Special and Support Units

  • 5 Command Vans
  • 1 Major Incident Command Van
  • 2 Hazardous Materials(Haz-Mat.) Incident Team(H.I.T.) Units
  • 1 Hazardous Materials(Haz-Mat.) Incident Team(H.I.T.) Support Unit
  • 1 Hazardous Materials(Haz-Mat.) Decontamination(Decon.) Unit
  • 1 Hazardous Materials(Haz-Mat.) Mass Decontamination(Decon.) Unit
  • 1 Hazardous Materials(Haz-Mat.) Mobile Lab
  • 1 Collapse Rescue Unit
  • 1 Collapse Rescue Shoring Unit
  • 1 Technical Rescue Team(T.R.T.) Unit
  • 1 Tunnel Rescue Unit
  • 1 Vacuum Unit
  • 1 Air Compressor Unit
  • 3 Jump Bag/Trash Pump Units
  • 1 Utility Unit
  • 1 Support Unit
  • 1 Box Truck
  • 1 POD Truck
  • 3 Fireground Rehabilitation(Rehab.) Units
  • 2 Hose Wagons
  • 2 Dry Chemical(Chem.) Units
  • 1 High-Expansion(Hi-Ex) Foam Unit
  • 1 Bulk Foam Carrier Unit
  • 3 Breathing Apparatus Service Bottle Trucks (Central, North, South)
  • 1 Gas Detection Service Unit
  • 1 High-Rise Response Unit
  • 2 Airport Stairway Units
  • 10 Airport ARFF Crash Rescue Trucks
  • 1 Airport Mini-Pumper Unit
  • 2 Deluge Units
  • 1 Reserve Snorkel
  • 2 Helicopters
  • 1 SCUBA Dive Team Unit
  • 1 Fast Rescue Boat
  • 2 Rescue Boats
  • 6 Mass Casualty Units
  • 2 Light Wagons
  • 2 Smoke Ejector Units
  • 2 Mobile Ventilation Units
  • 1 Tactical Operations Intelligence Center
  • 2 Support Service Canteen Units
  • 3 Salvation Army Canteen Units

EMS Units

  • 60 ALS Transport Ambulances
  • 14 BLS Transport Ambulances
  • 1 EMS Mass Casualty Triage Unit
  • 1 EMS Mass Casualty Command Support Unit
  • 1 EMS Oxygen Transport Bus
  • 1 EMS Transport Bus
  • 3 EMS Logistics Supply Trucks

Communications

The Chicago Fire Department operates two fire alarm frequencies: Main and Englewood. Main covers the city north of the South Branch of the Chicago River and Englewood covers the city south of the South Branch of the Chicago River, the 2 EMS frequencies are mirrored in both name and boundaries. The separate designations are from when the Englewood Fire Alarm office was located at 64th & Wentworth St, and the Main Fire Alarm Office which was located on the 5th floor of Chicago City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. Both offices merged into one location at the city's 911 Center in 1996, located at Madison and Laflin streets.

Alarm Assignments

Still Alarms

A Still Alarm, is the basic structure fire response protocol of the Chicago Fire Department. The term "Still Alarm" came about upon the advent of telephones becoming more prevalent in reporting emergencies. The alarm office's register that received the signals from the actual fireboxes would remain "still" when someone reported a fire or emergency via telephone. The Still & Box is either transmitted by companies upon arrival at the scene when needed or due to multiple reports or confirmation of a fire. If there is a confirmed fire, the Still & Box Assignment may be added to the "Still" or "High-Rise Still" assignment upon request of the ranking officer on the scene. The Rapid Intervention Team (R.I.T.) Response is sent when the "Still" becomes a working fire, or upon request. The Mayday Assignment is used when firefighters operating on the scene of any emergency become lost, trapped or are discovered to be missing. Any member of the Chicago Fire Department of any rank or title operating on the scene of an emergency is authorized to call for a Mayday response if they so feel the need.

Alarm Type Alarm Level Engines Assigned Trucks Assigned Tower Ladders Assigned Squads Assigned Battalion Chiefs Assigned Deputy District Chiefs Assigned Ambulances Assigned Paramedic Field Chiefs Assigned Special Units Assigned
Still Alarm 1st Alarm 2 2 1(Still)
Full Still Alarm 1st Alarm, Working Fire(Upgrade) 1(R.I.T.) 1 1(R.I.T.) 2 ALS(1 Standby) 1(R.I.T.) 1 Command Van
Still Alarm in a High-Rise Building 1st Alarm 4 5(1 R.I.T.) 1 4(1 Still, 1 R.I.T., 1 Fire Attack, 1 High-Rise) 2 ALS(1 R.I.T.) 1 1 Command Van
Mayday Alert 1st Alarm, Mayday Alert(Box or 2-11 Auto Upgrade) 1(R.I.T.) 1 3 ALS(1 R.I.T.) 1(R.I.T.) 1 Air Mask Unit, 1 Light Wagon, Collapse Team(Engine 5, Truck 2, 5-2-1)
Full Still Alarm 1st Alarm, Working Fire in Red "X" Building 2 3(1 R.I.T.) 1 4(1 Still, 1 R.I.T., 1 Safety, 1 Special Ops. 5-1-5) 1 2 ALS(1 R.I.T., 1 Standby) 1(R.I.T.) 1 Command Van, 1 O.F.I. Unit

Box Alarms

Box Alarms are the other main assignment utilized by the Chicago Fire Department. A Box Alarm is the standard protocol response for fire alarm activations in a hospital, nursing home, theater or other potentially high risk structure. If the fire is reported to have persons trapped or the Fire Alarm Office receives numerous calls for the same location, then a "Still & Box Alarm" is automatically transmitted by Fire Alarm Office.

Alarm Type Alarm Level Engines Assigned Trucks Assigned Tower Ladders Assigned Squads Assigned Battalion Chiefs Assigned Deputy District Chiefs Assigned Ambulances Assigned Paramedic Field Chiefs Assigned Special Units Assigned
Box Alarm 1st Alarm 4 2 1(Box)
Still & Box Alarm 1st Alarm or Box(Upgrade) 4 3(1 R.I.T.) 1 1 4(1 Box, 1 Safety, 1 R.I.T., 1 Fire Attack) 1 2 ALS(1 R.I.T.) 2(1 R.I.T.) 1 Command Van, 1 O.F.I. Unit
Still & Box Alarm in a High-Rise Building 1st Alarm, Box(Upgrade) 1(ALS) 3(1 Plans, 2 Report to I.C.) Helicopter(6-8-1), EMS Plan I Auto Upgrade)
Mayday Alert 1st Alarm, Mayday Alert(Box or 2-11 Auto Upgrade) 1(R.I.T.) 1 3 ALS(1 R.I.T.) 1(R.I.T.) 1 Air Mask Unit, 1 Light Wagon, Collapse Team(Engine 5, Truck 2, 5-2-1)

Multiple Alarms

Higher-alarms for larger fires and more serious incidents are assigned as 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Alarm Assignments as upgrades of a "Still & Box", a "Box", or a "Working Fire". Each alarm level is signified by the level of alarms, followed by the number 11. The number "11" after the level of alarm is tradition of the bell and register system striking 11 blows onto the bell in the firehouse after whatever level of alarm the incident has been upgraded to followed by the box number, carried over into the modern era.

Alarm Type Alarm Level Engines Assigned Trucks Assigned Tower Ladders Assigned Squads Assigned Battalion Chiefs Assigned Deputy District Chiefs Assigned Ambulances Assigned Paramedic Field Chiefs Assigned Special Units Assigned
2-11 Alarm 2nd Alarm(Upgrade) 4 2 1 2 1 1 Air Mask Unit, Media Affairs Unit
3-11 Alarm 3rd Alarm(Upgrade) 4 1 Deputy Fire Commissioner, 1st Deputy Fire Commissioner
4-11 Alarm 4th Alarm(Upgrade) 4 Fire Commissioner
5-11 Alarm 5th Alarm(Upgrade) 4

Special Incidents

Special Incidents are incidents handled by the Chicago Fire Department that are emergencies other than fires. While a Still & Box Alarm might be used for an EL Train Derailment, a Water Rescue or a Collapse Rescue has its own assignment. Many of these Special Incident Assignments include many specialized units not ordinarily found at the scene of a fire. When these units are called into action, designated by their Shop ID Unit number (i.e., Special Unit 6-8-2 is one of the CFD's Air-Sea Rescue Helicopters), they are referred to as "Specials" and can be specially-called into action at the scene of any incident where they are needed. Thus, a 5th Alarm Fire with a Special Unit response would be called, a "5-11" and a "Special".

  • Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA):
    • 1 Engine or 1 Truck
    • 1 Ambulance (Either an ALS or BLS)
  • Automobile Fire:
    • 1 Engine
  • Pin-In-Accident:
    • 1 Engine
    • 1 Truck
    • 1 Battalion Chief
    • 1 Squad
    • 1 Ambulance (Either ALS or BLS)
    • 1 Paramedic Field Chief
  • Expressway Car Fires:
    • 2 Engines (Second Engine to stage off the expressway at the nearest hydrant closest to the incident for water supply if needed)
    • 1 Truck
    • 1 Battalion Chief
  • Specialty Rescue:
    • 1 Engine
    • 1 Truck
    • 1 Squad
    • 1 Battalion Chief
    • 1 Ambulance (Either an ALS or BLS)
    • 1 Paramedic Field Chief
  • Building Collapse:
    • 5 Engines
    • 3 Trucks
    • 1 Tower Ladder
    • 1 Squad
    • 3 Battalion Chiefs
    • 1 Deputy District Chief
    • 1 Command Van
    • 1 Ambulance (Either an ALS or BLS)
    • 1 OFI Unit
    • 1 Paramedic Field Chief
    • 1 Collapse Rescue Unit
  • Water Rescue:
    • 1 Engine
    • 1 Truck
    • 1 Squad
    • 1 Battalion Chief
    • 1 Ambulance (Either ALS or BLS)
    • 1 Air-Sea Rescue Helicopter (
    • SCUBA Team (6-8-7)
    • Engine Co. 2 (Fire Boat)
    • Boat 6-8-8, 6-8-9 and/or 6-8-10 (If needed)

EMS Plans

Because the Chicago Fire Department handles the city's Emergency Medical Services, certain large-scale incidents, such as a major vehicle accident or a building collapse will require a special EMS Response. This response is also known as a "Plan" from the CFD's EMS Division. These plans consist of EMS Units and Fire Units, depending on the incident. EMS Plans can also be assigned to fires where a large EMS presence is needed or special events, such as a marathon where injuries may arise.

  • EMS Plan I:
    • 5 Ambulances
    • 1 ALS Engine or Truck
    • 1 Truck
    • 1 Battalion Chief
    • 1 Paramedic Field Chief
    • 1 Assistant Deputy Chief Paramedic
  • EMS Plan II:
    • 5 Additional Ambulances
    • 1 Additional Paramedic Field Chief
    • 1 Triage Van
    • 1 Command Van
    • 1 Deputy District Chief
    • Media Affairs
  • EMS Plan III:
    • 5 Additional Ambulances
    • 1 District Chief
    • Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner - EMS
    • 1 On Call Physician

Hazardous Materials(Haz-Mat.) Incidents

During a Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat.) Incident, such as a chemical spill or leak, the Chicago Fire Department assigned three specific levels of response depending on the size and magnitude of the incident. Aside from standard fire suppression equipment and Haz-Mat. equipment, the CFD also can dispatch standard fire suppression equipment whose crews have special training in hazardous materials situations and mitigation. These companies are called the Hazardous Incident Team (H.I.T.).

  • Level I Haz-Mat:
    • 1 Engine
    • 1 Truck
    • 1 Squad
    • 1 Ambulance
    • 1 Battalion Chief
    • 1 Haz-Mat. Unit
  • Level II Haz-Mat:
    • 1 Additional H.I.T. Engine
    • 1 Additional H.I.T. Truck
    • 1 Deputy District Chief
    • 1 Safety Officer
    • 1 EMS Field Chief
    • 1 Air Mask Service Unit
    • 1 Command Van
  • Level III Haz-Mat:
    • 1 Additional Haz-Mat. Unit
    • Haz-Mat. Duty Chief

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cfd/provdrs/ops.html
  2. ↑ http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cfd/provdrs/admin.html
  3. ↑ http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cfd/provdrs/prevent.html
  4. ↑ http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cfd/provdrs/emp.html
  5. ↑ http://plaws.net/scan/IL/cfd-dist-batt.html
  6. ↑ http://www.chicagofd.org/images/CFD_Signature_Order_1-8-13.pdf
  7. ↑ http://www.chicagofd.org/images/CFD_Quick_Apparatus_Card_2012.pdf
  8. ↑ http://www.chicagofd.org/images/CFD_Signature_Order_1-8-13.pdf

External links

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