Fire Department

Bellwood Fire Department
Non-Emergency: (708) 547-3525
Emergency: 911

The Bellwood Fire Department was founded in 1910 as an entirely volunteer unit. In 1954 the department progressed to a partial pay-volunteer plan. Four full-time employees were hired; additional full-time personnel were hired in 1956.

The current strength of the department is as follows: 31 full-time employees, including a chief, deputy chief, secretary, six officers, inspector and three volunteers. The department also comprises two arson investigators and six cause and origin investigators. In 2001 the Fire Department answered 2,629 alarms.

The Bellwood Fire Department is a member of the Mutual Aid Pact, which includes 17 neighboring communities. The Pact is called “Division 20” and is a member of M.A.B.A.S. (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System), which covers the state of Illinois. In 2001 the department instituted a bicycle patrol, whose members attend parades, block parties and other village functions. All firefighters undergo at least 20 hours of training per month. All members are certified firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

The department offers services and programs to accommodate all age groups, including:

Adult Programs

Assist Police with the Senior Citizen Academy

CPR Class and Recertification

Community Information Fair

Inspection of Businesses and Home Day Care

Senior Health & Fitness Fair

Talks to Civic Groups

Basketball Programs

Future WNBA Stars Camp (Girls ages 5-16)

Lil’ Dribblers Basketball (Little Ladies – Grades 5-8)

Teen Programs

Career Days

Mentoring

Ride-a-Long

Sleepovers

Youth Programs (conducted in school)

Escape Drills In The Home (E.D.I.T.H.)

Fire Safe House

Fire Station Tour

Monster In The Smoke

Stop-Drop-Roll

Supervised Fire Drills