New Lenox Fire Protection District
Encyclopedia
The New Lenox Fire District provides quality fire protection, emergency medical services, and specialized rescue to 45,000 residents across 36 square miles.
In 1946 the first fire station was built at 201 N. Church Street where it still stands today. In 1970, Station 2 was built just north of Station 1 on Cedar Road due to the increase in traffic on the Rock Island tracks and constant flooding of Hickory Creek. These two stations were run entirely by volunteer firefighters. Often several wives of these firefighters would answer emergency calls on red phones in their homes, then set off a siren and a page to notify the firefighters of an emergency.
As New Lenox
grew so did the demand on the fire district. In order to keep up with a growing number of calls in the south-west corner a third station was added. Initially, the District rented space in an industrial condo with a fire engine manned by volunteers. In 1984 the District’s first full time Fire Chief was hired, Ken Hossack, who served until his retirement in 2006. Finally, in 1986 the costruction of Station 3 was completed at the corner of Nelson Rd and Country Creek Dr.
In 1989 the Fire District passed a referendum to add an ambulance district. Just a few months later the district purchased an ambulance and hired their first seven Firefighter
/ Paramedics. They were located at Station 1 and assisted the volunteers in both fire and medical calls.
Station 4 was constructed in 1996 providing better service to the North-East area of the District. Then in 2001, Station 1 and the Fire District Administrative Offices moved to its current location and the original Fire Station 1 on Church Street was closed. Currently the District staffs 4 fire stations, 24 hours a day, utilizing 45 firefighters and 5 paid on call members.
History
Three members of the community met in May 1940 with the intent of forming a Fire Protection District. In October 1940, by special election, the New Lenox Fire Protection District was formed. In November, after passage of a referendum, officers were elected to the first Fire District Board which was to be have three members: Ed Sheel as President, John Francis, Secretary, and Ed Hahney as Treasurer.In 1946 the first fire station was built at 201 N. Church Street where it still stands today. In 1970, Station 2 was built just north of Station 1 on Cedar Road due to the increase in traffic on the Rock Island tracks and constant flooding of Hickory Creek. These two stations were run entirely by volunteer firefighters. Often several wives of these firefighters would answer emergency calls on red phones in their homes, then set off a siren and a page to notify the firefighters of an emergency.
As New Lenox
New Lenox, Illinois
New Lenox is a village in Will County, Illinois, United States. The village population is estimated to be 24,938 as of 2006. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning forecasts New Lenox will have a population of 90,652 in 2030.-Geography:...
grew so did the demand on the fire district. In order to keep up with a growing number of calls in the south-west corner a third station was added. Initially, the District rented space in an industrial condo with a fire engine manned by volunteers. In 1984 the District’s first full time Fire Chief was hired, Ken Hossack, who served until his retirement in 2006. Finally, in 1986 the costruction of Station 3 was completed at the corner of Nelson Rd and Country Creek Dr.
In 1989 the Fire District passed a referendum to add an ambulance district. Just a few months later the district purchased an ambulance and hired their first seven Firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
/ Paramedics. They were located at Station 1 and assisted the volunteers in both fire and medical calls.
Station 4 was constructed in 1996 providing better service to the North-East area of the District. Then in 2001, Station 1 and the Fire District Administrative Offices moved to its current location and the original Fire Station 1 on Church Street was closed. Currently the District staffs 4 fire stations, 24 hours a day, utilizing 45 firefighters and 5 paid on call members.
Fire Stations and Apparatus
| Station | Address | Engine | Truck | Ambulance | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 261 E Maple St. | 1611 | 1619 | 1614 | Shift Commander |
| 2 | 1205 N Cedar Rd. | 1621 | 1624 | Reserve Ambulance | |
| 3 | 930 Country Creek Dr. | 1631 | 1634 | Brush Truck | |
| 4 | 19819 S Schoolhouse Rd | 1641 | 1644 | Polaris Ranger | |