Department History

Then

The Naperville Fire Department was founded and chartered by the City of Naperville and State of Illinois in 1874 after two major fires occurred in the downtown area. At the time, it was staffed strictly by volunteers. Early rosters provide a glimpse of the people who made up the department's membership, including surnames that are still common in the area, such as Naper, Bauer, Ellsworth, and Beidelman. 

Be sure to visit the interpretive sign at Firemen's Memoriak Park, 1072 W. Jefferson Avenue, Naperville. It is a collaboration between Hose Company 1 and the Naperville Park District, and provides a brief summary of the department's volunteer history.

Browse NFD's Storied List of Volunteers

Despite every effort to compile a complete list of those that served as volunteers along with their years of service, we realize there are people who were missed and dates not found. If anyone has information that can fill in missing data, please forward it to Soraya McLaughlin at mclaughlins@naperville.il.us.

In 1883, Naperville’s first central fire station was constructed on West Jefferson Street in downtown Naperville.

The main station remained in the downtown area until 1992, at which time the Fire Administration Building was constructed at the Public Safety complex on Aurora Avenue.

Now

The NFD protects approximately 150,000 people in Naperville and the surrounding unincorporated Naperville Fire Protection District. Residents are served by 10 fire stations. The administration is office located at 1380 Aurora Avenue.

Currently, the Department employs more than 200 full-time personnel. The Department is staffed 24 hours per day and operates six front line engines, eight front line paramedic ambulances, two front line ladder trucks, two heavy rescue squads, two alternate response units, and two shift commander vehicles.

The Fire Department has taken measures to address the area's rapid growth. A comprehensive 20-year Master Plan for the delivery of Fire and Emergency Medical Services has been in place since 1989, and is updated every three years. In addition, the Naperville Fire Department is one of a select few Fire Departments in the U.S. to have been awarded accreditation status by the Commission on Fire Service Accreditation International.

Finally, Naperville's fire insurance rating is presently a Class 2 within the city limits. Outside the city limits (with fire hydrants) it is also a Class 2. Outside the limits (without hydrants) it is a Class 9.

The Naperville Fire Department celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2024.