Chicago Heights Fire Department

What This Data Tells You About Chicago Heights Fire Department

Chicago Heights Fire Department operates as a Career (Paid) department in Chicago Heights, within Cook County, and the HIFLD and USFA records give a precise structural picture of its response capacity. The department reports 90 total personnel, 5 stations, no truck inventory reported. EMS capability is listed as active.

Benchmarking against the state gives this profile context. Illinois has 1,493 registered fire departments and 34,868 total personnel, averaging roughly 23 staff per department. Chicago Heights Fire Department runs 291% above that state average, signalling a larger-than-typical crew likely tied to denser population or higher call volume. The state records about 72,000 fires, 127 fire deaths, and 55% volunteer coverage each year, which shapes training, funding priorities, and mutual-aid patterns felt at every department in the state.

Federal investment further defines this department's trajectory: Chicago Heights Fire Department has received 3 FEMA grants totaling $1,043,505.18 through the AFG and SAFER programs, money typically spent on PPE, SCBA, training, and hiring or retaining career staff.