How do I obtain a Fire or EMS report?
Fire or EMS reports can be obtained at North Chicago Fire headquarters at 1850 Lewis Ave. North Chicago (at the corner of Argonne and Lewis) Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. An ID is required to obtain copies.
Can I get my blood pressure checked at the fire station?
Yes. Free blood pressure checks are conducted at all North Chicago fire stations whenever firefighters are present.
Can I get firefighters or a fire truck to come to my school or community event?
Yes. As part of our focus on public fire safety education, we are happy to participate in your school or community event. We are proud of our profession, our tools and apparatus. Our main focus is fire prevention and safety and we offer programs suited for all ages. Please contact the North Chicago Fire Public Information Office at 847-596-8782 to schedule a visit from the firefighters.
Can I tour a North Chicago fire station?
Yes. As part of our public fire safety education focus, we are happy to have your group tour any of our fire stations. Please contact the North Chicago Fire Department at 847-596-8782 to arrange a tour of a fire station.
Does North Chicago Fire & Emergency Services offer free smoke detectors?
Yes. North Chicago firefighters will install free smoke detectors and batteries for North Chicago residents.
Having a working smoke detector in each level of your home will alert you of the dangers from fire and help to keep you safe and sound. North Chicago Fire & Emergency Services wants to help protect you from fire by providing FREE home fire safety analyses and FREE installed smoke alarms.
If you or a loved one live in North Chicago and need assistance with home fire safety, please contact our administrative office at 847-596-8782 for an appointment.
Why does a fire truck sometime show up on an ambulance call?
When a 911 call comes in, our dispatchers often do not get precise or complete information. As such, our dispatch is based on a worst-case scenario. To ensure the highest level of care, we sometimes send the closest piece of apparatus being the fire engine and then an ambulance for transport. All personnel on the North Chicago Fire Department are trained to the paramedic level. So even if they arrive in the Fire Engine they still have the skill set to assess and treat the patient.
What do firefighters do during the day when not on emergency calls?
- Preparation.When a firefighter arrives at the station for a shift, his first priority is to check his truck and personal protective equipment and get ready for the next call. Although we do not fix major mechanical problems with the fire engines, we often do minor repairs.
- Planning and training. The Shift Commander coordinates activities for the day and ensure the best possible response coverage given our limited resources. We also catch up on recent changes or significant events and go over the day’s planning and training (each station company must complete at least 2 hours of specific training each shift).
- Housework. The morning is when we also address “house work.” North Chicago Fire Fighters live at the station for 24 hours; it is their second home. We have to sweep, mop, throw out the trash, dust, wash linens and windows, and clean the fire truck. We also take care of maintenance issues such as painting and landscaping.
- Public outreach.We often run station tours for the public or speak at special events. These talks cover everything from cooking safety, exit drills in the home, to using a fire extinguisher.
- Physical training. Our firefighters have the opportunity work out each day while on shift. We undergo a battery of exams and fitness assessments, agility testing, and blood work to help ensure that we are in peak condition to protect the community.
- Inspections.Station companies routinely inspect every business in the city to enforce the fire code and address any life hazards. We also periodically inspect and test fire hydrants to ensure that they operate properly during a fire event. Likewise, we test all our fire hoses each year.
- Reporting.We must document each event we respond to, no matter how big or small. Most reports take 15–30 minutes to complete. A Fire Fighter can spend between 2–6 hours a day on documentation.
What do firefighters do at night?
We are always in “ready response” mode, so our day is by no means over after 4pm. In fact, crews may not get to bed on busy nights.
After the crew returns to the station, the engine needs to be restocked and reports need to be completed. Crewmembers may also call home, work out, catch up on maintenance, study for tests (medical, fire, hazardous materials). In addition, we conduct periodic “night drills” to keep ourselves adjusted to all conditions.
Why do I see firefighters cutting holes in the roof of a building on fire?
This is called “venting the roof.” There are two basic reasons for this practice. Dangerous gases and dark smoke accumulate in a burning building. Unlike in the movie versions of fires, firefighters cannot see in such an environment. Once the roof “vented,” the smoke and gases can escape because heat and smoke rise, making it much easier for the firefighters to see. It also reduces the possibilities of backdraft and flashover.
Another reason for venting the roof is to see how far the fire has progressed. Fires spread through attics especially quickly. Firefighters may go ahead of the fire on a roof, cut holes to access the attic, and stop the fire from spreading.
How hot does a house fire get?
It depends on the materials that are burning. Now, more than ever, our modern conveniences are made of synthetics instead of raw materials. When plastics or other petroleum-based products burn, temperatures can reach 1,200°F.
Fireworks
Fireworks arenotlegal for use in the State of Illinois.
Play it safe, and let professionals handle the fireworks. Professional fireworks make a better display, which you and your family can watch in safety.
A painful and sometimes deadly lesson
Decades of tragic experience teach this lesson: Fireworks are dangerous.
Based on the information available to USFireworks at the time this data was compiled, the following legal requirements are in effect for the State of Illinois.
Bottle Rockets: | With Permit Only | |
Sky Rockets: | With Permit Only | |
Roman Candles: | With Permit Only | |
Firecrackers: | With Permit Only | |
Sparklers: | Legally Allowed | |
Smoke and Punk: | Legally Allowed | |
Fountains: | With Permit Only | |
Missiles: | With Permit Only | |
Novelties: | Legally Allowed | |
Crackle and Strobe: | With Permit Only | |
Parachutes: | With Permit Only | |
Wheels and Spinners: | With Permit Only | |
Sky Flyers: | With Permit Only | |
Display Shells: | With Permit Only | |
Aerial Items (Cakes): | With Permit Only |
Young people suffer the great majority of fireworks injuries, most frequently injuries to the eyes, head, or hands. Losing your sight or losing a finger is a tragic price to pay for a few minutes of fun with fireworks.
Even seemingly harmless sparklers cause many injuries. For children under age five, sparklers account for three-quarters of all fireworks injuries. Fascinated by the bright sparks, little children may wrap their hands around a stick of fire that can be as hot as 1800 degrees F.
According to the National Fire Protection Association:
"In 2005, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 10,800 people for fireworks related injuries. 48% of 2005 emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the head and 44% were to the extremities.
Injuries are only part of the problem. Local fire departments are called to thousands of fires started by fireworks. Those fires have caused property damage totaling millions.
"In 2004, fireworks caused an estimated 1,500 total structure fires and 600 vehicle fires reported to fire departments. These fires resulted in20 civilian injuries and $21 million in direct property damage. There were no reported civilian deaths." (Source: National Fire Protection Association)
