Divisions
The Peoria Fire Department is staffed by over two hundred highly trained professionals who are responsible for fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical service, hazardous material mitigation, fire prevention education, fire/arson investigation, fire code inspections, and community relations. We implement our services through four divisions:
- Fire Administration
- Fire Operations
- Fire Training
- Fire Prevention
Fire Administration
Fire Administration Division provides administrative and management services to ensure proper and adequate budgeting, program/policy research, and strategic planning to further the mission of the Peoria Fire Department. See the Fire Administration Division in the Staff Directory.
Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) accomplishes their tasks following the four doctrines of emergency management:
- Preparedness
- Response
- Recovery
- Mitigation
The Office of Emergency Management's primary mission is to coordinate the efforts of the City, the business community, local volunteer organizations, and the residents of Peoria in all facets of disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Activities include:
- Educate the public via multi-media presentations on severe weather, disaster response, and disaster recovery
- Maintain the City's Emergency Operations Plan
- Maintain the City's Outdoor Warning Siren System
- Coordinate disaster relief within the City of Peoria
- Coordinate assistance from State and federal disaster response organizations
- Interact with all agencies regarding homeland security and domestic preparedness
See the OEM in the Staff Directory.
Fire Operations
Fire Operations is staffed by 200-plus personnel and operates out of 12 fire stations. This division is the most visible in the Department, responding to over 20,000 calls a year. Personnel in this division are highly trained in firefighting and emergency medical care and have specialized training in hazardous material mitigation, auto extrication, high-angle rescue, confined space, trench rescue, cold water/warm water rescue, and dive team rescue and recovery tactics.
See the Fire Operations Division in the Staff Directory.
Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
The Office of Emergency Medical Services, under the supervision of Battalion Chief of EMS Roland Tenley, is assigned the responsibility of providing administrative support to the fire department's EMS services.
The primary responsibilities of this office are as follows:
- Maintain the records/reports of all Peoria Fire Department EMS personnel
- Oversee the EMS upgrade/continuing education training
- Implement the EMS quality assurance program
- Provide logistical support for EMS operations
- Liaise with the Peoria Area EMS office and the Project Medical Director
Fire Prevention
The Fire Prevention Division implements its services through three distinct offices: fire/life safety prevention and mitigation; fire cause, determination and investigation; and hazardous materials training and inspections. See the Fire Prevention Division in the Staff Directory.
Office of Fire Inspections
The mission of the Office of Fire Inspections is to pursue proactive avenues of fire and life safety hazard risk reduction through the enforcement of the adopted Codes. Its primary goal is the reduction of life loss, personal injury, and property damage from fire or explosions.
The Office of Fire Inspections has these primary responsibilities:
- Review new construction/remodel building plans for code compliance
- Review installation plans for all fire protection systems
- Conduct complaint inspections involving fire/life safety issues
- Conduct training on evacuation procedures for the business community
- Assist in all fire prevention/public education programs
- Conduct fire inspections to ensure code compliance in:
- High-rise buildings
- Large commercial buildings
- Theaters
- Hotel/motels
- Hospitals and medical centers
- Apartment complexes
- Public, private, and parochial schools
- Large condominium complexes
- Major shopping complexes
- Conduct permit inspections for:
- Fireworks displays
- Tents or air-supported structures
- Open burning/recreational fires (i.e. bonfires, campfires)
- Certificates of Occupancy
Office of Fire Investigations
The Mission of the Office of Fire Investigations is to provide a systematic and comprehensive approach to determine the cause and origin of fires in Peoria.
The Office of Fire Investigations has these primary responsibilities:
- Determine the cause and origin of all fires
- Collect and analyze fire scene evidence
- Interview suspects and witnesses
- Photograph and document fire scenes
- Assist in the prosecution of arsonists
- Spearhead the Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Program
- Conduct fire prevention inspections on issues concerning fire and life safety
- Conduct complaint inspections
- Conduct evacuation training for the business community
- Assist in all fire prevention/public education programs and initiatives
Office of Hazardous Material
The Office of Hazardous Material is responsible for all activities related to the management of the City's hazardous material ordinance, along with State and federal regulations.
Daily functions include:
- Assign hazardous material inspections to inspectors
- Process and monitor the hazardous material permits issued to local businesses
- Assess and assign appropriate fees according to the City's ordinance
- Coordinate training for the Hazardous Material Response Team
- Conduct after action review of hazardous material incidents
- Initiate billing process for reimbursement activities after incidents
Tactical & Administrative Support
Fire Training
Fire Training provides upgrade training and continuing education for members of the Peoria Fire Department in:
- Fire suppression techniques
- Emergency vehicle operations
- Vehicle extrication practices
- Cold water/warm water rescue
- Underwater search and rescue
- Watercraft operations
- Confined space
- Trench rescue
- High-angle/rope rescue
- Hazardous material operations
- Homeland security/weapons of mass destruction (WMD) awareness
In addition, it is their responsibility to provide support services and assistance for site classes and meetings for outside agencies, maintain training records, facility rental and training for other departments, supply supervision for the physical agility testing, and be the resource center for books, videos and training aids.
The Peoria Fire Training Academy is a regional training site for the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI).