Forest Park’s fire department is busier than ever, chief says

Have you ever wondered how busy your Forest Park Fire Department is?

The answer isn’t that far away. The Fire Department presents incident data reports at monthly village council meetings. 

But here’s the thing: Forest Park Fire Chief Phil Chiappetta said the department is only getting busier. 

According to Chiappetta, the Forest Park Fire Department is far busier than its neighbor stations, especially for a department with only “one ambulance, one fire engine and a ladder truck.” 

Chiappetta said that while nearby stations of River Forest and North Riverside answer an average of about 3,000 and 2,800 calls per year, respectively, Forest Park answers an average of 4,300 per year. He added that the station is on track to answer 4,500 calls for 2024. 

“It’s kind of ridiculous numbers, to be honest,” Chiappetta said.

Here is an inside look at the June calls for the department.

Count of total incidents and exposures

The Forest Park Fire Department is an All Hazards Department, Chiappetta said, meaning it responds to any emergencies that aren’t criminal, including motor vehicle accidents, hazmat calls, technical rescue incidents, fire calls and EMS calls.

The Fire Department averages between 350 and 400 calls per month, according to Chiappetta, and the most recent data released during the Aug 12 Village Council meeting shows the month of June being on the high end, with 390 calls — 58% for Emergency Medical Services and 42% for fire and service.

Chiappetta said he would like to “let [Forest Park residents] know that we have a very professional, well-trained fire department” that is able to respond to this broad range of calls.

Aid given and received

Based on a mutual agreement with surrounding towns, the Forest Park Fire Department both gives and receives aid in responding to calls if resources are limited. During the month of June, the department gave and received aid a cumulative total of 43 times. 

“In the surrounding towns, we have agreements that if they need help, they call us. If we need help, we call them,” Chiappetta said.

EMS and fire incident breakdown

The total number of 390 incidents is made up of several different categories, with 229, or 59%, of the calls for EMS, 151, or 39%, of the calls for other issues and 10, or 2%, of the calls for an actual fire. 

In total, the department received 10 fire calls, 229 rescue and EMS calls, four hazardous condition calls, 34 service calls, 78 good intent calls, and 35 false alarm calls.

“It doesn’t matter the type of call that we go on there, the residents are going to get well-trained professional firefighter paramedics come into their house to take care of whatever issues they have that we can help with,” Chiappetta said. 

News and events

The work of the fire department also includes community service. During the month of June, the fire department set up a truck and flag for a Wounded Warrior ride, attended two block parties and installed one car seat. 

“We’re heavily involved in the community,” Chiappetta said. “My message to the residents is ‘we’re here if you need us.’”