Trained. Ready. Committed.
14
Firefighter / Paramedics
Daily
Training Frequency
DIV 10
MABAS Division
24 / 7
Always On Duty
The McCook Fire Department takes great pride in our highly trained and professional staff of firefighter/paramedics. The department is equipped and trained to handle any type of emergency situation — from residential and commercial structure fires to technical rescue, hazardous materials, and mass-casualty events.
The department strives to be the best, and with that commitment, training is paramount. Our members train daily to make sure they are ready when needed — because in an emergency, preparation is the difference between life and loss.
Our Standard of Excellence
Every member of the McCook Fire Department is cross-trained as both a certified firefighter and a licensed paramedic — delivering the highest level of emergency response capability on every apparatus, every shift, every call.
Readiness & Preparation
Daily Training Program
Our members train every day across all areas of fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical operations. Continuous training ensures that when the alarm sounds, our team is ready to perform at the highest level.
Fire Attack & Suppression
Hose advancement, nozzle techniques, ventilation, and structural firefighting tactics practiced regularly to maintain peak operational readiness.
Search & Rescue
Primary and secondary search techniques, victim removal, and rapid intervention team operations conducted under realistic conditions.
Incident Command
Scene management, ICS protocols, and multi-agency coordination exercises to ensure effective leadership on complex, large-scale incidents.
Hazardous Materials
Hazmat awareness and operations-level training for recognizing, isolating, and mitigating chemical, biological, and radiological threats.
Apparatus Operations
Engine, tower ladder, rescue, and ambulance operations including pump operations, aerial deployment, and equipment maintenance.
Cross-Training
Every firefighter is also a licensed paramedic. Joint fire and EMS drills ensure seamless dual-role performance on every response.
MABAS Division 10
McCook is a member of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division 10, which provides a systematic method of sharing apparatus, resources, and personnel with other fire departments throughout Illinois. This cooperative framework ensures that every emergency in our region receives the resources necessary to manage it effectively — regardless of scale or complexity.
As part of MABAS, McCook both provides and receives automatic aid from neighboring communities, in order to meet guidelines set forth by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This system ensures that all emergency responses receive a sufficient amount of resources to effectively manage any incident.
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Shared Personnel
MABAS enables McCook to request — or deploy — trained firefighter/paramedics from surrounding departments during major incidents, ensuring adequate staffing at all times.
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Shared Apparatus & Resources
Specialized apparatus — including tower ladders, heavy rescue units, and hazmat equipment — can be rapidly deployed across the MABAS system to any member community in need.
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Automatic Aid
McCook automatically sends and receives first-due aid from neighboring communities, guaranteeing that the closest available resources respond immediately — reducing critical response times.
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NFPA Compliance
Participation in MABAS ensures McCook meets the resource guidelines established by the National Fire Protection Association, guaranteeing sufficient personnel and equipment for every incident.
Our Commitment to You
Three core principles that guide every firefighter/paramedic on every call.
Always Ready
Daily training and rigorous preparation ensure our members are ready to respond at a moment's notice — any time, any day, any emergency.
Fully Equipped
Our fleet and personnel carry the tools and training to handle any emergency — from structure fires and technical rescue to hazmat and mass-casualty events.
Stronger Together
Through MABAS Division 10, McCook is part of a regional network that ensures every incident — large or small — receives the resources it needs to protect lives and property.