Chicago Fire Department
Established	August 2, 1832
Staffing	Career
Strength	4,314 firefighters and 619 paramedics
Stations	98
Engines	96
Trucks	61
Squads	4
Helicopters	2
EMS Level	BLS & ALS
Commissioner	John W. Brooks

The Chicago Fire Department, also known as the CFD, is the principal fire suppression, prevention, and rescue agency of Chicago, Illinois, under the jurisdiction of the mayor of Chicago. The Chicago Fire Department is the largest fire department in the Midwestern United States and is one of the nations largest departments after Fire Department of New York City, Los Angeles City Fire Department, and the Los Angeles County Fire Departments which all have more stations than chicago. It is also one of the oldest major organized fire departments in the nation. Concurrently, some firefighters serve as paramedics with the Chicago Emergency Medical System.

The Chicago Fire Department is led by the Commissioner, who is currently John Brooks. The Commissioner is appointed by the mayor. He is assisted by the First Deputy Commissioner, who oversees the department's bureaus. There are five bureaus under the First Deputy Commissioner: Administrative Services, Fire Prevention, Operations, Support Services, and Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Services.

Until December 2006 Chicago firefighters donned the famous three-quarter boots and jacket, instead of the now generally accepted bunker gear worn by many departments, especially those of the suburbs. An example of the boots and jacket can be seen in the photo below.

A unique feature on CFD's apparatus is the green emergency lights. Most of the fire departments vehicles, excluding the ambulances, have a green light in the front right corner and above the headlights on the truck and engine companies. The practice of the green light has been a tradition for many years.

Chain of command

Chicago firefighters responding to a call on Michigan Ave.

Listed below are the chains of command for the two major divisions of the Chicago Fire Department's Operations Bureau: Fire Suppression and Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services. The lists rank from lowest-level employee to senior command staff. Employees in these ranks may also serve in other divisions and bureaus.

Fire Suppression and Rescue Division

Chicago Battalion Chief Vehicle.

• Firefighter Candidate/Emergency Medical Technician
• Firefighter 1st Class
• Fire Engineer
• Fire Lieutenant (Company Officer)
• Fire Captain (House and Company Officer)
• Fire Battalion Chief

The following positions are appointed by the Fire Commissioner:

• Deputy District Chief
• District Chief
• Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner
• Deputy Fire Commissioner
• First Deputy Fire Commissioner
• Fire Commissioner (Appointed by the Mayor)

Geographically, the CFD is organized into six districts and a total of 24 battalions.

Emergency Medical Services Division

Engine 117 fights a fire on Chicago's West Side at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

• Fire Paramedic Candidate
• Fire Paramedic
• Paramedic in Charge
• Paramedic Ambulance Commander
• Paramedic Field Officer

The following positions are appointed by the Fire Commissioner:

• Asstant Deputy Chief Paramedic
• Deputy Chief Paramedic
• Chief Paramedic

Notable Incidents

• 2003 Chicago balcony collapse ^[1]

References

• CFD chain of command

External links

• Chicago Fire Department

Fire portal

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