In 1996, the Chicago Fire Department had a strength of slightly more the 5,100
uniformed and civilian personnel within its operating budget of about $267 million. It
holds an Insurance Services Office Class 2 rating and has done so for over 25 years.
The Department operates roughly 100 engine companies, 55 truck companies, 5
squads, and over 15 specialized pieces of equipment, including a fire boat and three
helicopters. Additional airport crash/rescue and support vehicles are staffed by Chicago
Fire Department members at its three airports. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
operates 59 First-line paramedic ambulances.
Besides Fire Suppression & Rescue and Emergency Medical Services, the Chicago
Fire Department operates the Fire Prevention Bureau, Fire Investigations Unit,
Support Services, Emergency Preparedness & Disaster Services and Administration. The
Fire Prevention Bureau encompasses the Public Education activities for fire and EMS,
routine inspections, school and institutional fire drills, Engineering Section and Underground
Storage Tank Inspection Program. Support Services maintains and repairs the
apparatus, radios, and other equipment used by the Department.
Through the end of August 1996, fire apparatus were dispatched to 105,622
emergency incidents which include 16,871 false alarms and 47,577 ambulance assists.
The EMS ambulance units responded to 147,748 emergency calls. Combined together,
this amounts to an average of slightly more than 1,000 responses per day.
For communication with companies in the field, the City of Chicago is separated
into two fire alarm offices using two different radio frequencies. The EMS ambulance
units operate on additional radio frequencies dedicated to their use. At working fires,
companies can communicate on additional fire ground radio frequencies and often work
with a communications van rather than with the fire alarm office.
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