How do I get a copy of a report?
Call the Records division, (847) 272-2141, extension 7118 for assistance. There is no charge for Northbrook residents.
How do I get a copy of my ambulance bill?
Call the Ambulance Billing Department, (847) 272-2141, extension 7138 for assistance.
Where can I go to get my blood pressure checked?
Saturday mornings from 9-12 at each fire station (if the crew is in quarters), 740 Dundee Road, 1840 Shermer and 650 Huehl. There is no charge.
What should I do if there is a fire in my home?
Exit immediately, do not attempt to save belongings. Get everyone outside and stay together. Call 911 from a neighbor's house.
What is the best way to mark my address on my property?
Use numbers rather than letters, preferably 5 inches or larger. Put numbers above the garage door, not on the garage door. Make sure the number is easily visible from the street. Use reflective numbers if possible.
Where can I dispose of old gasoline, paint, chemicals, and such?
Call the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, (IEPA) at (217) 785-8604 to find out when and where the next community disposal will be.
What should I do after dialing 911 for a medical emergency?
Stay on the line for medical instructions from the dispatcher. Turn porch lights on if dark outside. Unlock/open the front door. Have someone waiting outside. Lock up pets.
Why does a fire truck come to my house when I called for an ambulance?
The first reason has to do with having enough staffing to take care of the patient. In Northbrook all of our firefighters are cross-trained as paramedics. There are two cross-trained firefighter/paramedics on the ambulance and typically three personnel on the fire truck/engine. Many times when someone is very sick they need advanced life support (ALS) care. ALS treatment includes starting Intravenous (IV) fluids, monitoring cardiac rhythms, providing oxygen, administering medications, possibly performing CPR, and/or defibrillating a patient. National standards recommend four personnel for ALS incidents.
The next reason to have extra personnel from the fire truck/engine has to do with helping to safely move the patient to the ambulance. Most people that are so sick that they need an ambulance need to be carried on a cot. If the bedroom is on the second floor, or if there are steps outside the house, it may take more than two people to safely get the patient down the steps.
The third reason for sending a fire truck/engine on an ambulance call is if the closest ambulance is busy and unavailable. Again, the people on the fire truck/engine are also paramedics and carry the same ALS medical equipment as an ambulance, and they can begin care before the ambulance arrives.
Why do we have three fire stations in Northbrook? Wouldn’t it be better to have all the firefighters in one station in the center of town?
Northbrook has three stations strategically placed in the community to efficiently deliver emergency fire and/or Emergency Medical Service (EMS) ambulance as quickly as possible.
The national recognized standard for emergency response times recommends that the first unit arrives on the scene in less than six minutes or less for both an ambulance call and a fire call.
Why do we have so many, or so few, firefighters showing up at a house fire?
To safely and efficiently ensure all occupants are evacuated from the home and to extinguish the fire requires many simultaneous tasks to be accomplished.
Local experience, along with state and national standards have developed recommendations for the number of fire firefighting apparatus/equipment and staffing needed to perform the various tasks at a fire.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710 Standard recommends a minimum of 14-16 firefighters to safely make an interior attack of a fire in a two story, 2000 square foot, single family home without a basement. Larger structures typically require more apparatus and personnel.
Northbrook Fire Department maintains a minimum staffing level of 16 firefighters on duty every day. Through our Paid-On-Call firefighter program, and our pre-arranged intergovernmental automatic aid agreements, we can quickly enhance our initial response to any fire and also provide coverage in our vacated fire stations. At most house fires in Northbrook we average 24-25 firefighters responding.
How can I schedule a tour of the fire station?
Call (847) 272-2141 extension 7114 and speak with the Fire Chief's Administrative Assistant.
Where can I take Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) classes?
Call the local hospitals or the YMCA for the schedules.
Will you take me to the hospital of my choice during an emergency?
Transport decisions are based upon your condition at the time of the call, your preference, your best interest, the closest appropriate facility and medical direction from the hospital. |
