CHICAGO HEIGHTS
FIRE DEPARTMENT |  |
For over 100 years, the Chicago Heights Fire Department has been providing the citizens of our community the best in Fire and Emergency services. Besides Fire protection, the department also administers the City’s Emergency Medical Service and Emergency Management Agency.
In 2007 the men and women of the CHFD responded to 5,280 requests for aid. As the needs of the community have changed over the years the department has developed capabilities to respond to a multitude of hazards. Under the Direction of Chief Tom Martello, 65 Career Full Time and 25 Paid-On-Call Firefighters operate out of 5 stations throughout the City. Besides covering all of Chicago Heights, the department serves the Olympia Gardens community under a contract with the Olympia Gardens Fire Protection District. The department functions under specific Divisions addressing a variety of Emergency Response situations.
Fire Suppression
The Department operates 5 Engine Companies, 2 Truck Companies,
1 Rescue/Haz Mat Company and 5 Ambulances out of 5 stations as follows:
Station #3 (Headquarters) (North End)
83 East Joe Orr Road
Home to Engine Company #653, Ambulance #683, Tower # 673 and Rescue/HazMat #663. Captains Filippi (A-shift), Shander (B-shift) and Cyrkiel (C-shift) command the entire shift and all 5 stations from this location.
The largest of our stations #3 is also our Department Headquarters. Chief Tom Martello’s office is at this location as are Assistant Chief Richard Amadio’s and Deputy Chief David Troiani’s offices. The Administrative Secretary for the Chief’s office is Phyllis Petrongelli. Connie Troiani coordinates the Department’s billing services from this fire station as well.
Station #2 (East Side)
State and 16th Street
Home to Engine Company #652, Truck #672 and Ambulance #682, this station is minimally staffed with 5 firefighters under the leadership of Lieutenants Vittori (A-shift), Kush (B-shift) and Weir (C-shift). The 2nd largest of our stations, #2 also houses our Maintenance Division and Department Mechanic Matt Smith. Fire Department training activities are held at this location utilizing a dedicated classroom and fire practice tower.
Station #4 (West Side)
Division & 16th Street
Home to Engine Company #654 and Ambulance #684, this station is minimally staffed with 3 firefighters under the direction of Lieutenants Gromala (A-shift), Iurillo (B-shift) and Angell (C-shift).
Station #5 (The Hill)
22nd & Butler
Home to Engine Company #655 and Ambulance #685 a minimum of 3 firefighters work under the direction of Lieutenants Doggett (A-shift), Ewers (B-shift) and Fewkes (C-shift).
Station #1 (The Downtown Area)
91 East 19th Street
The Department’s Paid-On-Call (Volunteer) Division Operates an Engine (#651) and an Ambulance (#681) out of this station. The Paid-On-Call Division trains in this facility every Wednesday evening, but otherwise this station is not manned unless call volume or severity necessitates the activation of the Paid-On-Call Division. Besides giving citizens the opportunity to volunteer service to their community, the Paid-On-Call Division has proved to be a training ground for future CHFD full time personnel. Over half of our fulltime staff spent time on our Paid-On-Call Division including Chief Martello. POC Battalion Chief Ron Lucarini, a volunteer with the department leads this division.
Emergency Medical Services
Over 42 of our 66 Career Firefighters are licensed paramedics. Along with paramedics and EMTs on our Paid-On-Call Division, we are able to staff 5 Advanced Life Support Ambulances. This capability is unmatched by anyone in the southland. This Division also runs continuous Emergency Medical Education for our own personnel, personnel from departments from surrounding communities and students from around the world. Nearly 300 Doctors, Nurses, Firefighters and Technicians from 30 countries have trained with our department over the past decade. The EMS Division classroom is located on the lower level of City Hall.
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