Story About Bolingbrook Fire Department

History of Bolingbrook Fire Department

The first fire station was built in 1964 on East Briarcliff Road. The station was originally built as Lemont Fire station 2. Lemont provided fire protection to area around what’s now Schmidt. The building was built on a dirt road in what was known as Colonial Village. The land was donated by Dover Construction and built Colonial Village and Westbury; which soon became Bolingbrook. In 1965 the village petitioned to disconnect from Lemont Fire Protection District. They wanted to form a municipal fire department.

On July 1, 1971 the fire department was officially formed. The village purchased the building, 2 pumpers, and a 4-wheel drive grass truck. The station had 55 volunteer firefighters-35 of which were EMTs. February 1, 1972-the first fulltime fire chief Terry Droogan was sworn in. A 85 ft. aerial tower was added to the station in June 1972, the building used was originally of Ol

Chicago. Most of the construction was done by the volunteer firefighters themselves. The first 6 fulltime firefighters were hired in 1973.

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Those men were George Frinkbeiner, John Flyn, George Graff, John Lytle, Tom Novy, and Ron Spindel. There was a significant growth for the fire department in 1974. The station assembled the largest group of EMTs in the state of Illinois due to the growth. They were also the first western suburb to offer Paramedic services. In 1975, Station 2 was built and 12 firefighters were hired to man it. Within that year, 12 more were hired to help man the 2 stations. Station 3 was soon built in 1978; to help handle the growth on the North Side of the town because the need for service increased.

9 firefighters were hired to man this station. Then in 1991 the village built station 4 which was to help handle the growth on the west side of the town. The station hired 12 firefighters. With the growing demand for medical services, additional firefighters were hired. The last station (Station 5) was built in October 2002. This station is on Rodeo and Essington Road. Station 5 is manned with personnel specially trained in technical rescue. This also provides paramedic service to residents in the southwest area of the village. “As of January 1, 2017; Bolingbrook Fire Department has 86 fulltime, sworn personnel” (Bolingbrook a place to grow). The history of Bolingbrook includes a strong dedication to Public Education and Fire Protection. Bolingbrook is also the first department in the state to provide cross trained arson investigation team. They boast one of the highest arson conviction rates in the state too. Also with the dedication to fire prevention and public education has had a great fire loss record which they are very proud of.

Emergency Services Provided

At Station 1,2,3, and 4; they are just regular departments with EMTs and provide paramedic/medical services. At Station 5, there are specially trained personnel in technical rescue and provide paramedic service.

Fire Protection Activities

Bolingbrook Fire Department offers free smoke alarm installation to qualified residents. They also provide Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Rapid Entry System-Knox Box, Smoke Alarm Assistance, and Wireless Alarm Monitoring.

Affiliations with Public and Private Fire Prevention Organizations

The Bolingbrook Fire Department form an Emergency Management Agency. This includes Weather spotting and additional manpower during Public/Emergency events. The department is also involved with the Paramedic Preceptor Program through Edward Hospital EMS System. They also have their own Fire Prevention Bureau. The FPB can come out to inspect home smoke alarms, upon request from residents. The fulltime Fire Prevention Bureau has Fire Marshals and 3 shift Fire Inspectors. The jobs of the inspectors include plan review for new construction, inspection for initial occupancy of new businesses, investigation of all fires, annual inspection of fire pumps on businesses for which they are required, inspection of new fire alarm and suppression systems, and fire prevention surveys of all schools, business, and places of public assembly.

Type of Building Codes

With the smoke alarm program – for residents who rent and do not have smoke alarms can contact Bolingbrook Code Enforcement. The fire departments of Bolingbrook also follow the following codes. 2006 International Fire Code, 2002 National Fire Alarm Code, 2007 Standard for the installation of Sprinkler Systems, 2006 International Building Code, Illinois Accessibility Code, and Chapter 25 and 26 of the Village of Bolingbrook Municipal Code.

Public Education Programs

The Bolingbrook Fire Department provides a CPR Class at station 5 for anyone, they just must sign up first with a fee. They also go out to houses and talk to residents in their homes to provide information about fire prevention.

Qualifications to be Hired

To be qualified you must have a CPAT, pass a written exam with 70% or higher, pass interviews from the Fire and Police Board, and be a US citizen. A minimum of 21 years old and no more than 35 years old, must be Illinois State Certified Paramedic at time of hire, residency within 13-mile radius of Bolingbrook, and attend Mandatory Orientation Session.