Lake Forest Fire Department

What This Data Tells You About Lake Forest Fire Department

Lake Forest Fire Department operates as a Career (Paid) department in Lake Forest, within Lake County, and the HIFLD and USFA records give a precise structural picture of its response capacity. The department reports 39 total personnel, 2 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. Lake Forest Fire Department runs 70% 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: Lake Forest Fire Department has received 1 FEMA grant totaling $213,086 through the AFG and SAFER programs, money typically spent on PPE, SCBA, training, and hiring or retaining career staff.