Site Design by Gammon Group

Chiefs of JFD | Who is John D. Paige | Members of the JFD | JFD Patches | Station Locations Past & Present

The City of Joliet was officially established in June of 1852, and the Joliet Fire Department was born shortly after, when on 12/12/1853, the City Council passed an ordinance organizing the Fire Department. Prior to this, a group of volunteers referred to as the “Bucket Brigade,” would respond with buckets to the fire.

Important Dates in the History
of the Joliet Fire Department

  • 1st Steam Engine purchased for
    $5,900 in 1869
  • 1st paid members of the Fire Department 10/4/1872
  • 1st Fire Hydrant in Joliet 11/12/1888
  • April 23, 1951, the City Council authorized
    the bidding for a two-way radio system.
    The contract awarded to the Motorola
    Corporation for $5,636.74
  • September 1951, a contract was awarded to Sam S. Molaschi in the amount of
    $62,019.58 for the construction of Station #6 at 815 Campbell
  • June 17, 1953, Fire Station #6 was dedicated. There were 61 Firefighters on the Joliet Fire Department
  • 1957, a 3 rd Platoon or 25 firefighters were added to the Joliet Fire Department
  • April 6, 1990 the Joliet Fire Department’s first paramedic class graduated
  • The Hazardous Materials Team was founded to protect and respond to
    incidents involving dangerous chemicals
  • The Combined Arson Task Force (CATS) was added in 1990 to find the cause and
    origin of fires in the City of Joliet.
  • The Specialized Rescue Team (CART) was added in 1994 to provide rescue from
    confined space, below grade, high angle situations
  • The Dive Team was added in 1994 to provide protection and rescue to our numerous waterways
  • Special Operation Squad added in 1995 to provide medical assistance to the Joliet Police Department’s SWAT Team while training or involved in and incident.
  • 1996, Fire Station #9 opened. There were143 Firefighters on the Joliet Fire Department
  • Honor Guard was added in 1998 to represent the department at parades and funerals
  • 2001, there are 170 firefighters on the Joliet Fire Department
  • Fire Station #10 is opened. There are 212 Firefighter’s on the Joliet Fire Department