FAQ
How to dispose of a used fire extinguisher?
Contact a local fire extinguisher company or take to a hazardous waste disposal site.
How often should I replace my smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors?
We recommend that you replace smoke alarms every ten years and carbon monoxide detectors every five years. We also recommend that you change the batteries in all devices annually. Make sure to test your alarms once a month to ensure things are still working properly.
Where should I place alarms in my home?
Install your smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside of all bedrooms or sleeping areas. Smoke alarms should also be installed inside every bedroom or area where people sleep.
At least one carbon monoxide alarm should be placed near or in your sleeping areas.
How do I dispose of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors?
Carbon monoxide alarms can be disposed of in the trash, but remove the batteries and recycle them properly. There are two types of smoke alarms: photoelectric and ionization. Ionization make up the majority of smoke alarms. It is legal to dispose of photoelectric smoke alarms in the trash or by recycling because they are not considered hazardous waste. Make sure though to remove the batteries. Ionization alarms have a very small amount of a radioactive isotope. When in use, these detectors/alarms are perfectly safe, as the radioactive material is shielded by a metal chamber inside the device. If dismantled, however, the radioactive material can become exposed. For this reason, never try to take apart an old ionization detector. You can determine what kind of detector you have by looking at the back or informational sticker.
Companies such as First Alert have a complimentary disposal program for up to 4 intact ionization smoke detectors.
What type of fire extinguisher should I buy for my home?
We recommend homeowners buy an extinguisher that can handle class A-B-C fires. These extinguishers are designed to put out fires that involve wood, paper, flammable liquids, and/or electrical equipment. We recommend a minimum size of 3A:40BC.
Which hospital will the Fire Department take me to?
Our ambulances transport patients to hospitals that include: La Grange Hospital, Loyola University Medical Center, Hinsdale Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Hines VA Hospital, and Elmhurst Hospital.
Where a patient is sent depends mainly on the type and severity of their illness or injury as well as the location of the incident. Sometimes we are able to transport patients to their hospital of choice, but it is ultimately up to the paramedics, their Standard Medical Orders, and the hospital to decide what is best for each patient.
Who answers when you dial 9-1-1?
9-1-1 calls in La Grange Park are answered by The Lyons Township Area Communications Center (LTACC). This dispatch center is located in the La Grange Police Department and is a coordinated effort between the Villages of La Grange, La Grange Park, Western Springs, and City of Countryside.
Why do other area fire departments sometimes respond to calls from La Grange Park?
La Grange Park has agreements with neighboring fire departments to assist one another, when needed, in responding to emergency calls. La Grange Park may utilize these agreements when our local resources are exhausted or we are unable to handle an emergency situation alone. Alternatively, we regularly provide aid to agencies outside of La Grange Park.
Why do traffic signals change when an emergency vehicle approaches?
La Grange Park uses a system at all of its traffic signals called Emergency Vehicle Pre-emption or EVP. These devices are controlled by a white strobe light on all Fire Department vehicles which emits a signal to a receiver on the traffic light as the vehicle approaches the intersection. The traffic signal will change to green in the direction the Fire Department vehicle is traveling and turn red in the other directions.
Why do Firefighters break windows and cut holes in roofs of buildings on fire?
Firefighters regularly break windows and cut holes in roofs to relieve heat, dangerous smoke, and toxic gases from structures, in order to provide a more survivable atmosphere for any trapped victims, and improve visibility for firefighters working inside. In many instances, this also can help contain the fire to specific areas of a structure. Firefighters try to coordinate the timing of this venting with deployment of fire hoses and water, so the additional air movement doesn’t actually help spread the fire.
What does an ISO rating mean? How does it affect my homeowners insurance?
The Insurance Services Organization (ISO) assigns a Public Protection Classification (PPC) number from 1 to 10 to fire departments and communities based on their analysis. Class 1 generally represents superior property fire protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area's fire suppression program does not meet ISO's minimum criteria. The number is based on many factors, including but not limited to number of personnel and response times, type and location of fire equipment, training records, and the capacity, condition and testing of the water supply system.
Many U.S. insurers of homes and business property use ISO's PPC number in calculating premiums. For those companies that use the ISO PPC rating, their price for fire insurance in a community with a good PPC is substantially lower than in a community with a poor PPC.
The Village of La Grange Park’s PPC, or ISO rating, is currently a 3.
How do I become a paid on-call firefighter?
Want to join our team? To learn more about becoming a part-time, paid-on-call Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician Email FD Recruitment .
Who does child seat safety checks and when do they occur?
Please contact Sgt Rackow of the La Grange Park Police Department at 708-352-7711 ext 262.
Where do I dispose of my sharps and sharps containers?
Please refer this website: Safe Needle Disposal for information on where to dispose of these in Illinois.
Who do I call for a CPR course?
Please call the Fire Department at (708)354-0225 x307 or email Captain Chris Baudler at Email Chris Baudler
How do I book a fire truck for block parties, or station tours?
Call our department at (708)354-0225 or contact the Fire Chief; Email Dean Maggos
Who do I contact for ambulance billing information?
If you need information about ambulance billing you can contact Captain Chris Baudler at (708)354-0225, x307, or Email Chris Baudler . You can also call our billing service directly, EMS/MC at (800)814-5339 or fill this out on their website: Billing Questions.
How do I obtain a fire or EMS report?
Find information on how to complete a FOIA form here: La Grange Park FOIA .