EMERGENCY (FIRE, RESCUE OR PARAMEDIC AMBULANCE SERVICE) 911
Non-Emergency		847-501-6029
Fire Chief		Alan Berkowsky
Public Education Officer		Lieutenant Andy MacArthur
Fire Station and Administrative Offices		428 Green Bay Road

The Winnetka Fire Department consists of 24 career fire personnel which includes 1 Fire Chief, 1 Deputy Fire Chief, 3 Captain Paramedics, 3 Lieutenant Paramedics, 1 Administrative Lieutenant, and 15 Firefighter/paramedics, 1 Administrative Assistant, and 2 part-time Fire Inspectors. The Department provides a variety of services to Winnetka residents. These include fire suppression, advanced life support ambulance and rescue service, certified underwater dive rescue and recovery, technical rescue (above grade, below grade, and confined space), fire origin and cause investigations, fire prevention, and public education programs.

The Department is a member of the Regional Emergency Dispatch (RED Center) making it part of a centralized emergency dispatch center with other area fire departments. The system is capable of providing efficient fire and emergency medical dispatch. Emergency medical dispatch provides pre-arrival instructions such as CPR or first-aid, prior to the arrival of paramedics.

In addition to being part of RED Center, the Winnetka Fire Department is also a member of MABAS Division 3.  This is a predefined inter-operational agreement with fire departments in the area to provide assistance to each other in the event of a significant incident.  To name a few, incidents may include a large fire, multiple victim incident requiring the need for multiple ambulances, water rescue, and hazardous materials spills.  It provides the Village a wealth of resources that can come from as far as Wisconsin or Indiana if necessary.  The Winnetka Fire Department is also committed to assisting the other departments if they are the affected community. 

The Public Education Division provides Winnetka citizens of all ages with preventative life safety information. The Department conducts home safety surveys for residents on request and will also arrange, where possible, to have a fire engine visit your next block party. Educational tours of the fire station are conducted on Mondays and Fridays for all organizations including scout organizations, pre-school groups, and special interest groups. For Public Education Information please contact Lieutenant Andy MacArthur.

Blood pressure screening, acceptance of unused/expired medication for proper disposal, and "sharps" disposal program are available at the Fire Department between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily. Additional information and / or special requests are available by calling 847-501-6029.

 

Summary / Apparatus / Staffing

Staff

24 Hour Shift Personnel
3 Shifts (A or Gold, B or Black, and C or Red)
6 Personnel Per Shift: 1 Captain Paramedic, 1 Lieutenant Paramedic, 4 Firefighter/Paramedic

Apparatus

Chief Vehicle	2012 Ford Taurus	2800
Deputy Chief’s Vehicle	2007 Ford Expedition	2801
Incident Command Vehicle	2012 Ford Expedition	Battalion 28
Rescue Pumper 1500 GPM	2000 Pierce Saber	Engine 28
Ambulance	2007 Freightliner/Medtec	Ambulance 28
Fire Prevention Vehicle	2009 Ford Escape 2002 GMC Yukon	2810 2811
Rescue Pumper 1500 GPM	1996 Pierce Saber	Reserve Engine 28
Utility Vehicle	2007 Ford F250 Pick-up	Utility 28
Ambulance	2000 Freightliner/road Rescue	Reserve Ambulance 28
Aerial Ladder 1250 GPM	2010 Smeal	Truck 28

 

Other Services Provided by the Fire Department

Sharps Disposal Program:  The Winnetka Fire Department participates as a convenient drop-off location for needles and syringes.   A sharps container can be picked up or returned for disposal at the Fire Department during normal business hours.

Unused Prescription Disposal Program: Any unused home prescriptions (with the exception of narcotics) may be brought to the Winnetka Fire Department during normal business hours for disposal. 

Home Safety: The Fire Department will conduct a home safety survey (by appointment) and make recommendations on fire safety issues for your home and family.

Tours: Educational tours of the Fire Station are conducted on Monday’s and Friday’s for scout organizations, school groups, special interest groups and birthday parties.

Block Parties: The Department will also arrange, where possible, to have a fire engine visit your next block party.

CPR Training: CPR Basic Rescuer or Re-recognition classes are held when requests are sufficient to fill a class and also for groups (doctors' offices, scout troups, etc. on a fee basis. Residential home safety inspections are available by request.

Blood Pressure: Blood pressure screening is available at the Fire Department between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Special Requests: Additional information and/or special requests are available by calling the Department at 847-501-6029.

 

Brief History of the Winnetka Fire Department:

The Winnetka Fire Department initially began its existence as the Lakeside Hose Company in 1893. On March 25, 1902, the Winnetka Village Council created a legally constituted volunteer fire department for the Village of Winnetka by passing Village Ordinance 887. The ordinance provided that the Village be divided into six fire districts and authorized a Fire Marshall and two or more fire companies. The Fire Marshall was to receive a Salary of $50 per year and each member $2 per fire call. The Winnetka Fire Department became a combination paid/volunteer department in the 1930’s.  In 1993 it became a fully paid department.

The Village of Winnetka’s first ambulance was a 1914 Ford Truck with a canvas enclosure (driven by policemen and volunteers). In 1952 the Winnetka Fire Department initiated an emergency type ambulance; in 1976 paramedic service began. Since all Winnetka Firefighters are also paramedics, both the engine and aerial truck are paramedic equipped and able to handle all ambulance calls.  This enhanced service delivery allows the engine or aerial truck crew to begin advanced life support measures in the event that our ambulance is not available due to another incident.  Advance life support is term used to describe the ability to cardiac monitoring and EKG interpretation, apply advanced airway techniques and administer life-saving medications when needed.  To a person having an asthma attack or suffering from chest pain, every second is crucial for the administration of medication.