La Grange Park Fire Department: 'Old-Fashioned, But It Works'

LA GRANGE PARK, IL – The La Grange Park Fire Department doesn't go far in looking for new firefighters.

On Friday, the department announced it was again looking for residents to join its ranks.

"We are the only local municipality that uses residents to fill their ranks," fire Capt. Steve Tullis said in an email to Patch. "This is a bit old-fashioned, but it works for us. There are a lot of family members, neighbors and friends in our department."

The department wants residents to consider becoming state-certified, paid-on-call firefighters and medics.

Residents don't need any previous fire or emergency medical experience, Tullis said.

Most of the current firefighters and medics have full-time jobs in other professions or are full-time students, according to the department.

Applicants must attend a mandatory orientation session at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at the La Grange Park Fire Department Station 1, 447 N. Catherine.

Applicants must be a resident of La Grange Park, be at least 18 at the time of hire, have a high school diploma, possess a current and valid Illinois driver's license, successfully pass a background investigation, and pass a structured oral interview, physical ability test, medical test and drug screening.

For more information, email Capt. Steve Tullis.