Frequently Asked Questions and Statistics

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FAQs

How many fire stations does the Evanston Fire Department operate?
The EFD operates out of 5 fire stations, plus a central headquarters.

What kind of vehicles does the department have?
EFD has around 35 vehicles and specialized equipment, including:

5 Fire Engines
2 Fire Trucks
3 Ambulances
Vehicles for the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Division Chief, and Field Chiefs
Fire Prevention Bureau vehicles
1 Water Rescue Boat
2 Wave Runners
And other support vehicles

How many emergency calls does EFD handle each year?
EFD responds to over 12,000 calls annually—about 8,200 are EMS (emergency medical services), and 3,600 are fire-related.

What’s the department’s average response time?
EFD’s average response time is under 4 minutes.

How many personnel work for EFD?
The department includes 115 sworn firefighters and 3 civilian staff members.

Can all firefighters handle every type of emergency?
Yes. All EFD firefighters are also trained paramedics. Some also specialize in areas like hazardous materials, technical rescue, and more.

What special rescue teams does EFD have?

Technical Rescue Team
Dive Team
Surface Water Rescue Team
Hazardous Materials Team
Drone Operations
CPR Instruction

What is a firefighter’s work schedule like?
Firefighters work 24-hour shifts followed by 48 hours off. All stations operate 24/7, 365 days a year.

When do the firefighter's eat, and how do they get their meals?
Firefighters contribute approximately $20 of their own money daily for meals, or around $1,920 annually. With over 115 members, that is roughly $218,000. Firefighters shop at local grocery stores or restaurants, directly supporting Evanston's economy. They shop in their apparatus so they can immediately respond if an emergency call comes in. Within an average of 32 calls a day, readiness is essential.

How much do Fire operations cost (estimated cost as of 1/1/25)?

Fire Truck: $2.2M
Fire Engine: $850,000
Ambulance: $500,000
Personal Protective Equipment (Jacket, Pants, Gloves, Hood, Helmet and Boots): $5,000
Breathing Apparatus (SCBA): $750,000 for upgraded equipment for all 115 members
Equipment for one Engine (tools, hoses, etc): $35,000
Lucas Device (chest compression system): $10,000
Cardiac Monitor: $55,000
Firefighter Academy: $5,500

How does EFD recruit new firefighters?

Applicants complete a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), a ladder climb certification, and an online written exam. Qualified candidates are then interviewed and may earn preference points. Final scores determine placement on a two-year eligibility list.

Why do fire engines respond to ambulance calls?
Engines often arrive with ambulances to provide extra staffing and support when needed.

Where can I safely dispose of needles and sharps?
You can drop off sealed sharps containers at EFD Headquarters (909 Lake St.) Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What kind of smoke alarm should I install at home?
As of 2023, all new smoke alarms must have a long-life, 10-year sealed battery. The NFPA recommends installing alarms in every bedroom at minimum.

Annual Call Comparison

*ALS - Advanced Life Saving, BLS - Basic Life Saving, EKG - Electrocardiogram

YEAR	FIRE	EMS	TOTAL CALLS	Estimated Loss	ALS/BLS/EKG Treatments*	Fire Deaths
2024	3,784	8,277	12,061	1,564,000	3,065 / 4,237 / 3,781	0
2023	3,536	8,051	11,638	1,841,000	3,033 / 3,950 / 3,593	0
2022	3,410	7,733	11,191	1,221,000	2,901 / 3,671 / 3,315	0
2021	3,232	6,709	9,974	1,616,000	2,560 / 3,274 / 2,777	0
2020-Covid	2,309	4,844	7,182	1,575,000	1,720 / 2,407 / 2,146	0
2019	3,848	6,678	10,526	1,642,110	677 / 997 / 1,931	0
2018	3,595	6,419	10,014	4,959,200		1
2017	3,602	6,456	10,058	1,424,030		0
2016	3,826	6,441	10,267	1,312,001		0
2015	3,636	5,994	9,630	2,518,266		0
2014	3,637	5,980	9,617	3,359,896		0
2013	3,638	5,735	9,373	2,782,579		1
2012	3,506	5,824	9,330	831,682		0
2011	3,596	5,467	9,063	3,275,458		0
2010	3,567	5,350	8,917	1,305,993		0
2009	3,211	5,355	8,566	1,466,722		1
2008	3,727	5,407	9,134	1,811,005		0
2007	3,487	5,030	8,517	1,622,648		0
2006	3,364	4,735	8,099	2,618,765		0
2005	3,274	4,789	8,063	2,342,555		0
2004	3,095	4,628	7,723	1,454,660		0
2003	3,343	4,798	8,141	1,524,470		0
2002	3,218	4,690	7,908	1,568,027		1
2001	3,255	4,667	7,922	1,746,784		0
2000	2,831	4,685	7,516	1,277,895		1
1999*	2,938	4,513	7,451	2,507,580		0
1998	2,783	4,354	7,137	909,000		0
1997	2,907	4,473	7,380	1,138,356		1
1996	2,708	4,370	7,078	6,615,450		0
1995	2,798	4,259	7,057	2,639,668		0
1994	2,623	4,106	6,729	919,488		2
1993	2,907	3,988	6,895	1,230,749		1
1992	2,813	3,953	6,766	740,571		1
1991	2,937	4,061	6,998	1,241,282		0
1990	2,718	3,958	6,676	1,073,730		1
1989	2,522	4,049	6,571	2,064,525		0
1988	2,650	4,003	6,653	834,657		3
1987	2,427	3,770	6,197	724,382		1
1986	2,241	3,683	5,924	765,288		6
1985	2,443	3,688	6,131	997,561		1
1984	2,357	3,500	5,857	829,132		1

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