Organization of the Chicago Fire Department

The Chicago Fire Department in the second largest municipal fire department in the United States and one of the largest in North America. The Chicago Fire Department is organized in a paramilitary fashion, similar to that of most large municipal fire departments.

The Fire Commissioner (known as Chief of the Department in other cities) is appointed by the Mayor of the city of Chicago. All other exempt ranks are appointed by the Fire Commissioner.

The Bureau of Operations is one of five Bureaus within the organization of the Chicago Fire Department. Like the other four Bureaus, the Bureau of Operations is commanded by a Deputy Fire Commissioner, who reports to the 1st Deputy Commissioner, who in-turn reports to the Fire Commissioner.

The Bureau of Operations is currently the largest Bureau within the Chicago Fire Department and is organized into four Divisions:

The Fire Suppression and Rescue Division is commanded by an Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner. The Special Operations Division and the EMS Division are also commanded by an Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner. The Office of Fire Investigation (OFI) is under the command of the Commanding Fire Marshall, equivalent to the rank of Deputy District Chief.

The Fire Suppression and Rescue Division is commanded by an Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner (2-1-10). The Division consists of five Fire Districts, each commanded by a District Chief. Within the five Districts are 24 Battalions, each commanded by a Battalion Chief per shift, who reports to the Deputy District Chief of the District, who in-turn reports to the District Chief of the District.

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division is commanded by an Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner (2-1-11). The Division consists of two Field Divisions, the North Division and the South Division. Each Division is commanded by an Assistant Deputy Chief Paramedic. The two Assistant Deputy Chief Paramedics report to the Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner of the Division. Within the two Field Divisions, there are eight EMS Districts. Each EMS District is under the command of a Paramedic Field Chief. Each EMS District's Paramedic Field Chief is in charge of all EMS and Ambulance Companies within that District.

The Special Operations Division is commanded by an Assistant Deputy Commissioner (2-1-9) and is divided into several subsections, including Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat.) and Air-Sea Rescue. The Haz-Mat. subdivision is commanded by a Deputy District Chief. The Air Sea Rescue subdivision is commanded by two Deputy District Chiefs, one in charge of Air Operations, and one in charge of SCUBA Operations. Within the Special Operations Division is the Special Operations Battalion. Similar to a Fire Battalion, the Special Operations Battalion is in charge of all the specialized units and companies within the Chicago Fire Department. The on-duty Special Operations Battalion Chief reports to the Assistant Deputy Commissioner of the Division, as well as the Haz-Mat., SCUBA, and Air Operations Deputy District Chiefs.

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