Fire Department

Oak Park has three fire stations that house a variety of apparatus from ambulances to ladder trucks and command vehicles. Fire Headquarters is located at 100 N. Euclid Ave.

Always on call for emergency service, the Fire Department maintains three shifts of more than 20 trained professionals ready to provide around the clock protection to residents.

The Village's firefighters also are cross-trained as paramedics, since emergency medical services (EMS) is an integral part of the fire department. The Village has two Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances stationed at Fire Headquarters and staffed with two paramedics 24 hours a day. Two ALS Engine Companies, also staffed with a paramedic 24 hours a day, supplement the ambulances - click here for information on ambulance fees.

The Insurance Services Office, an independent organization that evaluates communities’ fire preparedness capabilities, rates the Oak Park Fire Department as a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10, a significant accomplishment since fewer than 2.5 percent of the 2,400 Illinois departments rated achieve a 1.

Alarms systems such as burglar, fire, hold-up and medical require installation and operation permits, whether in residential or business locations.

Alarm permit fees are $25 for a residence and $50 for a commercial building. The fee helps pay the administrative costs related to maintaining the information database used by 9-1-1 dispatchers when an alarm is initiated.

Permits must be renewed annually by September 30. Permits may be applied for and renewed in person or online.

• Click here to apply online
• Email Finance@oak-park.us for additional assistance

False alarms are inevitable with any system, so the Village allows three false alarms per 12-month period without penalty. However, since repeated false alarms can interfere with public safety personnel response to real emergencies, a $100 penalty is assessed for the fourth false alarm. Penalties increase with each subsequent false alarm to a maximum of $300.

The Oak Park Fire Department offers a variety of life-saving classes including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and training in how to use an automated external defibrillator, or AED. 

Three different classes are offered — Heartsaver CPR/AED for adult, child and infant, Heartsaver/First Aid and CPR/AED for Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers. Classes are held at the Department’s certified American Heart Association community training center in the main fire station, 100 N. Euclid Ave. All courses are taught by an AHA-certified instructor. Upon successful completion of the class with all applicable testing, participants will be certified as American Heart Association providers. Click here to see the schedule.

Classes are $60 for Oak Park residents and $80 for non-residents. The Basic Life Support for Healthcare provider course is $70 for residents and $90 for non-residents. All fees include textbooks. Payment must be made by check or cash in exact amount at the time of registration. In-person registration is required at the main fire station. Class size is limited to nine students.

For more details, call 708.358.5605 or email cpr@oak-park.us.

The Village Board establishes fees for ambulance services provided by the Fire Department. Fees cover the cost of providing up to five firefighter/paramedic responders with an ambulance equipped to handle any medical emergency. The Village contracts with a third-party service to invoice and collect all ambulance fees. Questions regarding charges on a bill should be directed to the billing service as noted on the invoice. Questions relating to services provided by Oak Park paramedics at the time of transport should be directed to the Fire Department at 708.358.5600.

• Click here to provide billing/insurance information or to make a payment

Fire Department personnel inspect all public buildings and commercial establishments in Oak Park at least once a year to ensure safety. Inspections range from complex medical centers and high-rise residences for the elderly to traditional mall offices and shops.

The department also oversees underground storage tank removal and inspects fire protection systems, including observing tests of fire pumps, sprinkler systems and alarms.

In addition, fire personnel work with building managers and maintenance staff to determine proper emergency evacuation procedures before they are needed, a service that is of particular importance to schools, churches and restaurants. Working with the Development Customer Services Department, the Fire Department reviews all building blueprints for fire alarm and sprinkler system installations prior to construction to ensure the systems meet or exceed current fire code regulations.

The Fire Department is no longer offering child safety seat inspections. The Illinois Secretary of State has information on its website regarding child safety seat requirements and links for inspection providers. Click here for more information.

The Oak Park Fire Department participates in the Knox HomeBox key security program.  This program allows firefighters to access your business or residence in the event of an emergency through the installation of an industry-leading key box that can only be opened by a fire department master key. 

The use of Knox HomeBoxes allows the fire department safe and rapid access for both fire and medical emergencies.  Additionally, the cost of a Knox HomeBox is generally less than the cost of replacing a door that may have been damaged by fire personnel needing to gain access. 

Click here for a list of 10 benefits of participating in this program 

For Commercial Customers:

When you are ready to order a box, please do the following:

1. Click on the following link: www.knoxbox.com*
   *We recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Safari when accessing the Knox Box website. Users have encountered technical problems when using Internet Explorer.
    
2. Choose the type of box you are looking for from the left side of the page. Most commercial installations will use the 3200 or the 4400. Residential installations will use the 1650.  If you have questions about what you need or what is available, contact Fire Marshal Mark Thompson at 708.358.5626 or mthompson@oak-park.us.
    
3. Choose the color.  Tamper switches are not required.
    
4. Select “Add to Cart” at the bottom.
    
5. Complete the forms to order the box.  Once completed your order will be sent to the fire department for approval.
    
6. Once approved the order will be processed and the Knox HomeBox will be shipped to you.
    
7. Once the box is installed, contact Fire Marshal Mark Thompson at 708.358.5626 or mthompson@oak-park.us to have your building key(s) placed and secured in the Knox HomeBox.

For Individual Residential Customers:

Note: These boxes are small and may only hold one or two keys. Suitable for installations at single-family homes and individual apartment/condo units.

Oak Park Township can provide financial assistance for eligible residents to purchase and install a secure key box that will allow emergency response personnel to access you home in an emergency. Call 708.383.8060 and ask for intake or email ccureferrals@oakparktownship.org for details.

When you are ready to order a box, please do the following:

1. Click on the following link: www.knoxbox.com
   *We recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Safari when accessing the Knox Box website. Users have encountered technical problems when using Internet Explorer.
    
2. Click the “Buy Now” icon in the middle of the page.
    
3. Fill in the “State”, “City” and “Community” fields at the top of the page. Choose the type and color of the HomeBox.  The two “door hanger” models fit over the top of any door and do not require hardware or installation.  If you have questions about what you need or what is available, call 708.358.5626 or email fireprevention@oak-park.us.
    
4. Select “Add to Cart” and then choose “Checkout”.
    
5. Click on the “Add Install Address” spot and complete the installation address and billing information.  Once completed your order will be sent to the fire department for approval.
    
6. Once approved the order will be processed and your Knox HomeBox will be shipped to you.
    
7. Once the box is installed, call 708.358.5626 or email fireprevention@oak-park.us to have your building key(s) secured in the Knox HomeBox.

The Fire Department does not accept any expired fire extinguishers, needles, or medication for disposal. 

Residents in single-family homes and buildings with five or fewer units can schedule at-home collections of household hazardous waste materials such fire extinguishers or sharps through Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS).

The program requires residents to schedule pickups online at www.lrsrecycles.com/oakpark.

For information on how to dispose of prescription drugs, please click here. 

The Fire Department is now accepting applications for block party visits. Fire Department visits are available from May - September. **UPDATE: The process has been streamlined and requests can now be made on the online block party form. Applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to staffing and emergency operation considerations. Find more information and the block event application form at www.oak-park.us/blockparties.

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