Wilmette Fire Department
Wilmette Fire Department |
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In an Emergency Dial 911 |
The Wilmette Fire Department has forty-two sworn personnel assigned to three shifts. Each of the three shifts has 14 members. The Department maintains a minimum staffing level of 11 shift personnel at all times. This allows for sufficient staffing of all apparatus while accommodating attendance at classes and seminars, illnesses, and vacations. Each shift works twenty-four hours on duty followed by forty-eight hours off duty. Shift staffing includes 1-Duty Chief, 2-Lieutenants and 11Firefighter/Paramedics. Each rank has specific duties and responsibilities:
Chief: Oversees the administration and operations of the Department.
Deputy Chief: Assists the Fire Chief and is responsible for the daily operations of the Department and the Fire Prevention Bureau.
Duty Chief: Serves as the commander of the shift and assumes the role of Incident Commander at all fire alarms and structure fires. At the Duty Chief's discretion, or at the request of the company Lieutenant, the Duty Chief responds to other incidents where the incident command system would promote mitigation of the situation.
Lieutenant: Serves as the Officer-In-Charge of the Engine company on all calls or as the Officer-In-Charge on ambulance calls.
Firefighter/Paramedic: Includes all firefighting personnel below the rank of Lieutenant and is responsible for performing emergency medical and fire suppression functions.
Fire Marshal: In charge of the Fire Prevention Bureau, inspections, plan review and investigations.
The Fire Department responds to a wide variety of calls, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The calls are divided into the following five categories:
"Code 1" responses include all emergency medical assistance calls, vehicular accidents, medical alert alarms, well-being checks and assistance for persons that have fallen. Typically, 1-ambulance and 1-Engine company responds to all Code 1 calls. Because Firefighter/Paramedics and a Lieutenant/Paramedic staff the engine company, at least five paramedics respond to all Code 1 emergencies.
"Code 2" responses, commonly referred to as "detail assignments" include functions that require special expertise and equipment from the engine company. Code 2 calls vary from vehicular fires, safety stand-by at natural gas leaks, assistance with downed power lines, carbon monoxide detector activations and assistance with residential lockouts. Most Code 2 calls are handled by 1-engine company; however, additional personnel are called in when necessary.
"Code 3" responses include the investigation of activated fire alarms. The potential severity of these situations requires a large commitment of personnel and apparatus. A total of three engine companies (1 from Winnetka), a truck company, an ambulance crew, and the Duty Chief respond. Each company has specific assignments in Code 3 situations, all under the direction of the Duty Chief.
"Code 4" responses are calls for a structure fire and requires an even larger commitment of personnel and apparatus. In addition to the units that respond on Code 3 alarms, a Code 4 incident necessitates the response of the Deputy Chief and a Safety Officer, as well as a “call back” of the off-duty personnel to staff the reserve truck and engine and, if necessary, provide relief for the first arriving companies.
“Code 13” responses are calls for automatic or mutual aid with neighboring communities. If at any time the circumstances of a call exceed the Department's resources, the Incident Commander may activate the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS). Wilmette is a member of MABAS Division III, a network of 17 North Suburban Fire Departments and Fire Protection Districts. Response is according to pre-established protocol that provides apparatus and manpower to the community requiring assistance, while maintaining adequate protection of its other member communities.
The Fire Department operates two Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances and two ALS Med-Engines, one from each station, each of which are staffed by two Firefighter/Paramedics. Thirty-two firefighters and nine officers are Illinois State certified paramedics, thus ensuring that at least four Paramedics (two on the ambulance and at least two in the Engine Company) respond to every Code 1 request.
The Wilmette Fire Department operates in the St. Francis EMS System. Hospitals within this system include St. Francis, Evanston, Rush North Shore, Lutheran General and Glenbrook. Two of these hospitals, St. Francis and Lutheran General, are Level I trauma centers, the highest preparedness for traumatic injuries. The Wilmette Fire Department maintains a policy of transporting patients to either Evanston or Rush North Shore Hospital. This decision is based on the severity of the call and the hospital’s proximity to the Village.