Chicago Fire Department facts for kids
The Chicago Fire Department (often called CFD) is a super important team that helps keep the city of Chicago, Illinois, safe! They are like real-life superheroes who fight fires and provide emergency medical help when people are sick or hurt. Imagine a huge city like Chicago; the CFD is always ready to respond!
The Chicago Fire Department is one of the biggest and oldest fire departments in the entire United States. Only the New York City Fire Department and Cal Fire are larger. This means they have a lot of experience and a big team to protect Chicago's millions of residents.
Every year, the CFD gets over 500,000 calls for help! Most of these calls are for medical emergencies, showing how much they do beyond just putting out fires. They are truly a vital part of the community.
Contents
What Does the Chicago Fire Department Do?
The Chicago Fire Department has two main jobs:
- Fighting Fires: When a fire breaks out, brave firefighters rush to the scene. They use special trucks, hoses, and equipment to put out flames and rescue people. Their goal is to protect lives and property from dangerous fires.
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Many times, the CFD responds to medical emergencies. This could be anything from someone needing an ambulance after an accident to helping someone who suddenly feels very sick. Paramedics and EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) from the CFD are highly trained to give urgent medical care.
How Does the CFD Respond to Calls?
When someone calls 911 in Chicago for a fire or medical emergency, the call goes to a special dispatch center. Operators quickly figure out what kind of help is needed. Then, they send the closest fire trucks, ambulances, or other special units to the location.
- Fire Engines: These trucks carry water, hoses, and pumps to fight fires.
- Ladder Trucks: Also called "trucks" or "towers," these have long ladders to reach tall buildings. They also carry tools for breaking into buildings or rescuing people.
- Ambulances: These are equipped with medical supplies and trained paramedics to help sick or injured people and take them to the hospital if needed.
The CFD also has special teams for unique situations, like a Scuba Team for water rescues or a Hazardous Incident Team (Haz-Mat) for dealing with dangerous chemicals.
A Brief History of the Chicago Fire Department
The Chicago Fire Department is one of the oldest organized fire departments in the United States. It was officially established in 1858. Before that, Chicago had volunteer fire companies. These were groups of citizens who helped put out fires in their spare time.
Over the years, the CFD has grown and changed a lot. They have adopted new technologies and training methods to become one of the most respected fire departments in the world. They learned many lessons, especially after major events like the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which helped shape how fire departments operate today.
Images for kids
-
Chicago Fire Department truck, circa 1909
-
Quarters of Engine 38, Truck 48, and Ambulance 77 in the North Lawndale area
-
Ambulance 77 & Engine 38 responding to a medical emergency on Roosevelt Ave.
-
Scuba Team vehicle on Lake Shore Drive in Hyde Park
-
CFD 1st Battalion Chief's Ford Explorer SUV
-
CFD Tower Ladder Company 10
-
CFD Truck Company 58
-
CFD Haz-Mat. Incident Team (H.I.T.) Unit 5-1-1
-
Ambulance 77 at St. Anthony's Hospital
.png)
