Chicago Fire Department, Municipal fire department in Chicago, United States
The Chicago Fire Department is a municipal fire service in Chicago, United States, employing several thousand uniformed firefighters who handle firefighting, emergency medical response, hazardous materials incidents, and technical rescue operations. The headquarters sits inside the Chicago Public Safety Building on Michigan Avenue and coordinates daily emergency operations throughout the city.
A volunteer company laid the groundwork for firefighting in the 1830s. The city council established a paid municipal service in 1858.
The service takes its name from the city it protects, following a tradition of municipal organization that began in the 19th century. Many firehouses across the neighborhoods preserve the brick architecture of earlier decades.
The administrative building on Michigan Avenue serves as the central coordination point for emergency response. Visitors can contact local firehouses to learn more about safety programs and training opportunities.
The service ranks as the second-largest municipal firefighting operation in the country after New York. It handles over 800,000 emergency calls each year across all neighborhoods.
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