History & Mission

The Edwardsville Fire Department has proudly served the citizens of Edwardsville and surrounding communities since 1874. Our mission is to prepare, prevent and protect.

Prepare

The Edwardsville Fire Department works hard to make sure both its members and the community are prepared for emergencies of all kinds. This is accomplished through a rigorous training schedule for our firefighter/paramedics and public education for our community.

Edwardsville firefighters train on a daily basis to maintain exceptional skills in the following areas:

• Emergency Medical Services
• Fire Suppression
• Hazardous Materials Response
• High Angle Rescue
• Water Rescue
• Confined Space Rescue
• Trench Rescue
• Vehicle and Machinery Extrication

Annually, firefighters re-certify their driving skills on fire apparatus and ambulances. Since preparation is first step in the chain of survival the fire department works to help the community prepare for emergencies by offering CPR and First Aid classes, car seat installation training, smoke and carbon monoxide detector installation assistance, and home emergency preparedness advice.

Prevent

Prevention is the most effective way to deal with an emergency. Preventing an emergency before it occurs means that damage is never done and associated physical, emotional, and financial costs never occur, including:

• Property Damage
• Lost Business & Income
• Injury & Medical Bills
• Death & Emotional Stress

The Edwardsville Fire Department works to prevent emergencies with active building inspection programs and public education programs.

Protect

When prevention fails Edwardsville Firefighters stand ready to take action. While fire protection is our primary mission we also provide paramedic level ALS ambulance service, hazardous materials response, hazmat and technical rescue services to the community. 

Since each firefighter is cross-trained several specialties and takes on many roles, the most efficient way for the fire department to operate is to respond in a Jump Company format. When a call comes in firefighters “jump” onto the best vehicle to respond to the call and take on the appropriate role whether it is a fire, ambulance call, hazardous materials spill or rescue call.