Frequently Asked Questions

Fire Department - Frequently Asked Questions

Does the City of Peoria provide food for firefighters?
Do you fill swimming pools? Do you rent meters?
How can I get my blood pressure taken?
How can I schedule a speaker?
I want to become a firefighter. What requirements do I need to fulfill in order to become a firefighter?
I would like to arrange a visit to a fire station. How do I schedule this?
My cat is up a tree. Can you get it down?
What is the City’s ISO rating for fire protection?
When can I burn trash or yard debris in my back yard?
When I’m driving down the road and hear or see a fire truck with its lights and sirens on, what is the best thing to do?
Where is the fire station nearest to my house?
Why does a fire engine and an ambulance both respond to a medical call?

Does the City of Peoria provide food for firefighters?

No. Firefighters are responsible for providing all of their own food.

Do you fill swimming pools? Do you rent meters?

The Peoria Fire Department does NOT fill swimming pools or rent meters.

How can I get my blood pressure taken?

Just stop by your neighborhood fire station and ask one of the officers to take your blood pressure. Click on the "Contact the Fire Department" page for a list of stations.

How can I schedule a speaker?

You can schedule a speaker by calling our administrative office at 309/494‑8700, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.‑5:00 p.m

I want to become a firefighter. What requirements do I need to fulfill in order to become a firefighter?

A list of job requirements and applications can be obtained from the Human Resources Department in City Hall, located at 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, Illinois, 61602 (309/494‑8575). Once an application is received, the applicant will be notified in advance of the next testing date. The Peoria Fire Department tests every two years. The next testing date will be in the Summer of 2012.

I would like to arrange a visit to a fire station. How do I schedule this?

Tours for all fire stations can be scheduled by calling our administrative office at 309/494‑8700, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.‑5:00 p.m.

My cat is up a tree. Can you get it down?

We do not get cats down from trees, as this would delay our response to emergency calls such as medical, rescue, and fire. If you have such a problem, please contact PAWS (309/494‑8911), and they will assist you.

What is the City’s ISO rating for fire protection?

In 2002, the City of Peoria received a “2” from the Insurance Services Office (ISO), a provider of data, underwriting, risk management, and legal/regulatory services to property-casualty insurers and other clients.

When can I burn trash or yard debris in my back yard?

The City of Peoria has a strict policy against open burning in the City limits of Peoria. Open burning is only allowed for recreational purposes (camp fire, wiener roast, etc.), providing a fire permit ($5.00 fee) is obtained. For more information on open burning and/or recreational fire permits, contact Division Chief of Fire Prevention Melanie Anderson at 309/494-8700 or 309/494-8794.

When I’m driving down the road and hear or see a fire truck with its lights and sirens on, what is the best thing to do?

Slow down and try to move safely to the far right-hand lane, if possible.

Where is the fire station nearest to my house?

To find the nearest fire station, click on to the Fire Station Maps page.

Why does a fire engine and an ambulance both respond to a medical call?

The City of Peoria EMS (Emergency Medical System) is a two-tier system. The Peoria Fire Department is the first responder, with 19 paramedics and 7 intermediates. The transport agency is the second component.

The Peoria Fire Department responds with basic life support (BLS-B Med) and advanced life support (ALS) non-transport capabilities first and provides life-savings techniques. When the advanced life support (ALS) transport agency arrives on scene, care is transferred to them.

This two-tier system works well because the Peoria Fire Department can respond, on average, in four minutes or less and have the patient stabilized and ready to go once the transport agency arrives.