What do firefighters do when they are not responding to fire or emergency medical calls?

Firefighters must train in some capacity every day. They are required to train an average of 20 hours in fire related training and three hours of emergency medical continuing education each month. Firefighters also have to assist the Fire Prevention Bureau with commercial fire inspections. Combined they are responsible for 3,000 inspections annually.


Firefighters also are responsible for cleaning and maintaining equipment and the fire stations. Occasionally, during non-emergency periods, firefighters drive around town and touring buildings to become familiar with Village streets and neighborhoods as well as business districts. This saves valuable time when actually responding to emergencies.


The rest of their time is spent preparing meals, reading, studying, exercising and sleeping. However, firefighters are trained to always be alert and prepared to answer emergency calls.

Show All Answers

1. How does the strength of fire protection in the community affect property owner’s insurance policy premium?
2. When I call for an ambulance, why do I sometimes see an ambulance from another town?
3. When I call an ambulance, why does a fire engine also come?
4. Why do I see fire engines or ambulances go through intersections with their red lights flashing, and then turn them off? Are they just in a hurry to go somewhere?
5. The alarm on my carbon monoxide detector just went off, what do I do?
6. Why do firefighters break windows and cut holes in roofs when the fire is inside a building?
7. I need to take a CPR course, does the Skokie Fire Department teach courses?
8. Where can I get my blood pressure checked?
9. Can I schedule a fire engine presentation or station tour?
10. How are members of the Skokie Fire Department hired?
11. What do firefighters do when they are not responding to fire or emergency medical calls?
12. When I see an emergency vehicle approaching while I am driving, should I always pull over to the right and stop?