The City of Joliet was officially established in June of 1852, and the Joliet Fire Department was born shortly after, when on 12/12/1853, the City Council passed an ordinance organizing the Fire Department. Prior to this, a group of volunteers referred to as the “Bucket Brigade,” would respond to the fires.

Important Dates in the History of the Joliet Fire Department

• 1st Steam Engine purchased for $5,900 in 1869
  
  
• 1st paid members of the Fire Department 10/4/1872
  
  
• 1st Fire Hydrant in Joliet 11/12/1888
  
  
• April 23, 1951, the City Council authorized the bidding for a two-way radio system. The contract awarded to the Motorola Corporation for $5,636.74
  
  
• September 1951, a contract was awarded to Sam S. Molaschi in the amount of $62,019.58 for the construction of Station #6 at 815 Campbell
  
  
• June 17, 1953, Fire Station #6 was dedicated. There were 61 Firefighters on the Joliet Fire Department
  
  
• 1957, a 3rd Platoon or 25 firefighters were added to the Joliet Fire Department
  
  
• April 6, 1990 the Joliet Fire Department’s first paramedic class graduated
  
  
• 1990, the Hazardous Materials Team was founded to protect and respond to incidents involving dangerous chemicals
  
  
• The Combined Arson Task Force (CATS) was added in 1990 to find the cause and origin of fires in the City of Joliet.
  
  
• The Specialized Rescue Team (CART) was added in 1994 to provide rescue from confined space, below grade, high angle situations
  
  
• The Dive Team was added in 1994 to provide protection and rescue in our numerous waterways
  
  
• Special Operation Squad added in 1995 to provide medical assistance to the Joliet Police Department’s SWAT Team while training or involved in and incident.
  
  
• 1996, Fire Station #9 opened. There were 143 Firefighters on the Joliet Fire Department
  
  
• Honor Guard was added in 1998 to represent the department at parades and funerals
  
  
• 2001, there are 170 firefighters on the Joliet Fire Department
  
  
• 2006 Fire Station #10 is opened. There are 212 Firefighter’s on the Joliet Fire Department
  
  
• New Fire Station opened at 450 Laraway Rd. early 2012