Mission Statement
The mission of the Norwood Park Fire Protection District is to
protect and serve our community and its residents with prompt and
professional services while providing fire suppression, emergency
medical services, fire prevention through public education, rescue and
response to hazardous spills or leaks while ensuring the utmost safety
of our members. We provide our citizens with a well equipped and highly
trained emergency response team that is capable of alleviating the
effects of disasters, tragedies and other threats to life and property.
History
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| Unknown
Year: Local Fire Department Gathering |
On August 25, 1941, the Norwood Park Township Volunteer Fire
Department department was chartered, having been formed on
Wednesday July 23, 1941 at a meeting help at 4104 N. Overhill. Prior to
this time, fire extinguishment for the Nonfood Park Township was
provided by the Chicago Fire Department at a cost of $150 per fire.
Walter I. Schoenfeld was the first Fire Chief and the department was run
out of his garage at 4318 N. Ottawa.
By the end of 1942 (the first full year in existence), the Department
had l pumper (1924 Reo purchased used from the Niles Fire Department)
and 23 officers and men split into 4 crews. In February of 1943, 7
additional men were added.
In 1942 there were 27 alarms for the Department (3 automobile fires, 2
chimney fires, l church fire, 3 false alarms, l food burning on stove, 2
garage fires, 8 grass fires, l hay stack fire, 3 house fires, l rubbish
fire). Two of the fires were mutual aid to Chicago, fire loss was
$6,215, and 1 member was injured.
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| Picture
taken in 89 of NPFD 1964 Mack ladder truck |
The Norwood Park Township Volunteer Fire Department ran 40 alarms in
1944 and was up to 168 for 1951 (119 Township, 6 Sherwood Heights, and
43 Norridge).
A new engine was outfitted in 1943 by using equipment salvaged from the
old engine and putting it on a used 1939 Chevrolet chassis purchased
from Lewis Chevrolet for $810. Towards the end of World War II, two
pumpers were received (May 1944, April 1945) from the OCD (Organization
for Civil Defense) along with a large supply of hose. A used Seagrave
Engine was purchased from the Glenview Fire Department in 1944.
In 1947, a partially burned Presbyterian Church was relocated to Ottawa
and Montrose Avenue from its original location at Montrose and Thatcher
to serve as the first fire house. A second station was built in 1954 at
7301 W. Lawrence Avenue in Harwood Heights.
As the population continued to increase, the Fire Department responded
to 341 calls (115 Township, 175 Harwood Heights, and 51 Norridge) from
July 1, 1955 to June 30, 1956.
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| Stark's
Warehouse fire, 4301 N. Harlem Ave., Norridge, March 1980 |
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| Harlem
Irving Mall, Norridge - 1964 |
The Norwood Park Township Volunteer Fire Department was
reorganized as the Norwood Park Fire Protection District after a
Vote on February 1, 1958 of 538 'For' and 92 'Against' the
reorganization. The population of the district serving Haywood heights,
Norridge, and Norwood Park Township was approximately 10,000 in 1958.
Walter E. Schoenfeld was appointed as a full-time Fire Chief on January
1, 1959 and on February 1, 1961 the district went to 24 hour a day
manned stations.
The first Ambulance in the district was donated in May of 1950 by Daniel
J. Murphy of Elmwood Park. He was the owner and operator of a Funeral
Service located at 7600 West Grand Avenue in Elmwood Park and also
donated an ambulance to the town of Elmwood Park. A used Cadillac
Ambulance was purchased in 1955. The Norwood Park Fire Protection
District was one of the earliest in the area to have its ambulance
personnel trained in Advanced First Aid, and had sponsored American Red
Cross First Aid classes at the fire station throughout the 1950's and by
1974 had 10 personnel trained as EMT's.
Paramedic training was started in 1973 and full time Paramedic Service
began in 1974.
Today: the Department has a number of civil service Paramedics and
contracts with Paramedic Services of Illinois for 12 Paramedics to staff
two ambulances.
In 1988 a new fire station was constructed at 7447 W. Lawrence Avenue in
Harwood Heights with all operations being moved to this station.
In 2007, the District employs 27 full time Firefighters (including the
Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, and Inspector), 12 contract Paramedics and 1
Administrative Assistant to the Chief.
We ran 3331 calls for the year, 1815 calls in Norridge, 940 in Harwood
Heights, 44 in Norwood Park Township, 438 Automatic Aid calls to
Schiller Park, Elmwood Park, and Park Ridge. There were 985 fire calls
and 2283 ambulance calls. Throughout the year we needed 44 mutual aid
ambulances to cover our call volume. There were also, 2 Hazardous
Material Boxes, and 12 Investigator Boxes.
We currently have 3 Engines, 1 Aerial Tower, 3 Ambulances, 1 Command
Car, 3 Staff Vehicles and 1 Utility Vehicle.
We continue to buy the best equipment available to keep up with the ever
changing times and keep the residents of the District in a safe
environment.
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Construction on firehouse at Montrose & Ottawa, Norridge, in 1956
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Water fights in Franklin Park - 1960's |
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Additional Historic Documents and Information
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See Full Gallery
