Fire Safety & Prevention

Fire Prevention Triangle

The primary mission of the Fire Department is to save and protect lives and property from fire and other emergencies. To that end, the department employs several strategies to meet the challenges inherent in that mission. These strategies form the three E's of the "Fire Prevention Triangle:"

  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Enforcement
Fire Prevention Triangle Image

Education

The best way to meet our mission is to prevent fires and emergencies from occurring through education. The department assigns public education personnel to present a nationally-recognized fire safety program to elementary school students on an annual basis. In addition, our personnel perform fire safety inspections of businesses and conduct fire safety presentations and demonstrations to individuals and groups concerning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, Exit Drills in the Home (EDITH) and other topics.

Engineering

Second, the department is responsible for assuring that new and existing buildings are built and engineered properly to prevent the start of fires or to limit fire spread in case our fire prevention efforts are not successful. The deputy fire chief, as head of the Fire Prevention and Inspection Bureau, oversees the review of all building plans for fire and life safety issues. Some systems the deputy chief reviews include fire alarms, fire sprinklers, exiting and life safety issues, fire-rated building assemblies and other issues.

Enforcement

When fire inspectors discover fire code violations, the vast majority of property owners correct these violations in a timely manner. They realize that correcting these problems help keep them safe from fire and keep their businesses open. The enforcement of the village's fire codes and ordinances is the responsibility of Fire Administration.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

The Villa Park Fire Dept. offers several programs to educate the public about fire safety

FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSTRUCTION

  • A firefighter will come to your location to teach your group the proper usage of fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers must be provided.

JUVENILE FIRESETTER EDUCATION

  • The Fire Dept. has trained Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Specialists to counsel children who are demonstrating this behavior.

SENIOR CITIZEN FIRE SAFETY

  • A Public Education Instructor will come and speak to your group about the special concerns of seniors and fire safety.

STATION TOURS

  • Your group can visit either of the two fire stations - Station 81 at 1440 S. Ardmore or Station 82 at 102 W. Plymouth. The firefighters will give a tour of the station and fire dept. apparatus. For scout troops earning badges, the firefighters can give short presentations on fire safety, community service, and basic first aid. 

For more information, contact the Fire Dept. Administrative Headquarters at 630.833.5350 or by email at pruiz@invillpark.com

.