Department Organization

Administrative Division

The administration division performs the functions necessary to support the delivery of emergency services to the community. These functions include training, clerical support and data processing, and budget preparation and administration. Also included under the administration division are fire prevention and public education programs.

Fire Prevention

The fire prevention section the Sycamore Fire Department has many functions ranging from fire and life safety inspections to plan review. The Fire Department works closely with the Sycamore Building and Zoning Department in enforcing city fire codes and ordinances. The City of Sycamore uses the 2006 version of the International Building Code, International Fire Code, and International Property Maintenance Code.

Operations Division

The operations division is the service delivery part of the organization. The operation division is responsible for emergency medical services, fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials first response activities.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

The Fire Department provides Emergency Medical Services to residents in Sycamore and the Sycamore Fire Protection District. The Department operates three paramedic ambulances 24 hours per day. In addition, all front line fire engines and staff vehicles are equipped with first response medical equipment to ensure medical procedures can be provided within 4 to 6 minutes of the request for services. The Department has 27 State of Illinois Licensed Paramedics who also function as Firefighters.

Fire Suppression

The response to fires is a coordinated effort that can vary from a single fire truck responding to a car fire to multiple pieces of equipment responding to a structure fire. The initial response to a reported structure fire (General Alarm) is 2 engine companies and a Chief Officer, along with a mutual aid ladder truck and engine. Off-duty career and paid on-call firefighters are recalled to staff reserve equipment. Fire suppression vehicles will also at times supplement staffing needs on emergency medical calls and are equipped to remove trapped victims of motor vehicle collisions.

Rescue

Two of our front-line fire engines are equipped with specialized rescue equipment to assist in the removal of victims trapped in vehicles or equipment.

Hazardous Materials First Responder

The majority of Sycamore Fire Department response personnel are trained to the Hazardous Materials Operations level. In addition, six firefighters are specially trained to the Technician level and serve as part of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division Number 6 Hazardous Materials Response team. Hazardous Materials incidents can result from airborne releases, leaking containers, and roadway accidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials. Every member of the Sycamore Fire Department is trained to handle small spills and leaks, and has the training needed to support the Hazardous Materials Response team at more complex incidents. Special monitoring equipment and tools are stored in a trailer that responds with the team when needed. Through participation in the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), this team is available to respond to HazMat incidents in DeKalb County, and may be deployed statewide following a disaster declaration.

Technical Rescue First Responder

The Sycamore Fire Department has a small team of four firefighters that are specially trained to respond to rescue incidents that require a high level of skill and special equipment. These incidents include the rescue of victims trapped in high places, trenches, confined spaces, or collapsed buildings. Four firefighters are specially trained to the Technical Rescue Technician level and serve as part of the MABAS Division Number 6 Technical Rescue Response team.

Fire Investigation

The Sycamore Fire Department is responsible for determining cause and origin for fires in the City of Sycamore. The group consists of 3 fire investigators. The Sycamore Fire Department works closely with the Sycamore Police Department and may also uses outside agencies such as the Illinois State Fire Marshal or the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.