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1. Does the Fire Department charge for calls?

The Fire Department bills directly to an insurance company for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) requiring transportation to a hospital. A resident should rarely see any charges from the Fire Department, and will never be charged for any calls concerning fire-related incidents or calls for service.

2. Why were there apparatus and personnel from other, neighboring fire departments on the scene?

The Village of Schiller Park has agreements with surrounding towns to automatically respond during emergency situations that might require additional personnel and manpower. These agreements are of mutual benefit because it allows the fire departments involved to provide sufficient equipment and personnel to handle the fire or other emergency incident.

3. What is the average response time for the fire department within the boundaries of the Village of Schiller Park?

Fire department units respond to emergency calls in approximately four minutes on average.

4. What should I do when I see a fire engine, ambulance and/or a police car approaching with its lights and sirens on?

When an emergency vehicle approaches with its lights and sirens on, please pull to the right and stop your vehicle, even if in the left lane, when it is safe to do so. If it is not safe to do so, stop your vehicle and wait for all emergency vehicle traffic to pass. Please do not pull into an intersection if you are at a traffic light or stop sign.

5. I have witnessed a fire engine with its lights and sirens on go through an intersection, then turn its lights off. Why?

This is likely because the call was a multiple unit response, and another arriving unit radioed back to the others that their response was not necessary or did not warrant the dangers of responding with lights and sirens.

6. Why does a fire engine show up when I call 9-1-1 for an ambulance?

Each fire engine is equipped and staffed for Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergencies, therefore dispatching a fire engine ensures a quick response for ALS care. Since an ambulance is only staffed with two (2) paramedics, the fire crews also provide much needed assistance to help provide a rapid and efficient outcome.

7. What can a paramedic do for the sick and injured?

Twenty-six (26) firefighters are also licensed as paramedics within the Schiller Park Fire Department. These paramedics can perform Advanced Life Support (ALS) in the field. ALS skills include EKG interpretation, defibrillation, intravenous access and some minor surgical techniques.

8. How can I make my home and family safer?

There are so many things we can all do to improve safety. A few examples are learn CPR, acquire a fire extinguisher and become familiar with its proper use, make a fire exit plan for your home and practice exit drills, know at least two ways out of every room, have a safe meeting place outside, learn first aid, and maintain a disaster supply kit. For more information, please visit our Fire Department page here.

9. Does the Village offer CPR classes?

The Fire Department offers CPR classes when a sufficient amount of residents enlist in a class. This class is $25.00 for Village residents and $35.00 for non-residents. Please call the Fire Department at 847-678-5136 to be placed on the waiting list for the next class.

10. Do the Schiller Park Firefighters have an association?

Yes, they do. It is called the Schiller Park Firefighters Association (SPFA), and can be contacted through their

Facebook Page.