Training

The primary mission of the Plainfield FPD Training Division is to provide on-going training, education and certification to fire service personnel. This is necessary to insure a competent, efficient and effective emergency response organization. Our members participate in weekly training drills that cover a wide variety of topics including fire suppression, tactics, EMS, technical rescue, vehicle extrication, building construction, drivers training, water rescue, hazardous materials, WMD/Terrorism response, mass casualty and disaster response. In addition to weekly training; additional classes and seminars are also available through colleges, organizations, other departments and specialized training facilities like the Illinois Fire Service Institute and the National Fire Academy. PFPD personnel regularly participate in training to be able to provide the best service possible and safely mitigate any emergency in our community.

The fire district is currently constructing a training facility behind our Headquarters Campus on 135th Street. The training facility will allow us to further enhance our current training program in regards to live fire training, firefighting tactics, search and rescue of trapped occupants, technical rescue scenarios and training for hazardous materials incidents. The addition of the training tower will continue to build upon our operational effectiveness, safety and personal development of the members of the Plainfield Fire Protection District.

Firefighter looking in the distance

Specialty Teams

The Plainfield Fire Protection District has 3 specialty teams that respond to specific incidents that require specialized rescue equipment and training. Members of these teams are required to obtain certifications that are specific to the emergency they will encounter.

Hazardous Materials Team

The Plainfield Hazardous Material team is a member of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division 15 Hazardous Materials Team. The team roster consists of 10 members from Plainfield FPD along with members from the Troy FPD, Elwood FPD, the Will County Emergency Management Agency and other Division 15 Fire Departments. Team members are certified in Hazmat Operations, hazmat Technician Levels A & B along with Hazardous Materials Incident Command.

 The PFPD currently staffs and responds with the MABAS 15 Decontamination Vehicle which is housed at Station 4. The vehicle is equipped to serve as a mobile decontamination/shower unit. Decon 15 responds to incident within Plainfield, surrounding fire districts and statewide for deployment to hazardous materials incidents, terrorism incidents and natural disasters as requested. The vehicle is also equipped with reference materials, science manuals and equipment used to assist in the mitigation of these incidents. Along with Decon 15, the MABAS 15 Hazardous Materials Team is equipped with several other vehicles and assets to assist in the management of incidents.

 

Water Rescue Team

The Plainfield Water Rescue Team has developed from a basic dive team that was started in 1984 into a highly trained multi-disciplined Water Rescue Team. The Plainfield Water Rescue Team is currently operating with 20 members. Team members are certified in Public Safety Rescue Diver, Surface Ice Rescue, Sub Surface Ice Diving, Current Diving, Swift Water Rescue, Water Craft Technicians, Swift/Flood Water Boat Operator, as well as certified tenders and SONAR equipment technicians. In order to achieve this high level of training, its members have committed countless hours in obtaining certifications and continuing education. Members also bring in top level instructors from across the country to stay current with the best practices in these disciplines. The Plainfield Water Rescue Team is a Member of the MABAS 15 Water Rescue Team and is recognized as a Class A Water Rescue Team within the State of Illinois.

Due to the variety of water environments in the area (lakes, rivers, ponds, drainage ditches, etc.) the Water Rescue and Recovery Team must be prepared for several types of water rescue situations.

Evidence Recovery – They assist law enforcement agencies, locally and through mutual aid in crime scene investigations and evidence recovery operations.

River Diving – Rescue or recovery of victims using underwater search patterns in a moving water environment.
Surface Water Rescue – Rescue of accident victims while they are still on the surface of lakes, ponds and other types of still water.
Swift-water Rescue – Rescues performed anywhere near rivers and other types of moving water.
Underwater Rescue – Scuba divers performing underwater search patterns to locate near-drowning victims.

Technical Rescue Team (TRT)

The Technical Rescue Team (TRT) is comprised of members of the Plainfield Fire Protection District who respond to specialized rescue incidents that involve structural collapse, trench rescues, confined space rescues, and high angle rescues. Some examples of incidents the TRT would handle include stabilizing a building collapse to conduct search and rescue or rescue of a person working on a cell tower or water tower that needs medical assistance. The Plainfield Fire Protection District’s TRT works in cooperation with MABAS Division 15 TRT. The MABAS Division 15 TRT is made up of members from multiple surrounding agencies which provide rescue services to a geographic area of approximately 1,000 square miles. The MABAS Division 15 TRT regularly trains to keep current on their specialized rescue skills and certifications.

Special Events Team

In addition to everyday fire and emergency medical services, Plainfield Firefighters and Paramedics provide special event stand-by EMS services.  Plainfield Firefighters and Paramedics are available to provide EMS services at large public gatherings and sporting events within the district.  Utilizing a crew cab Polaris 4×4 and Trek bikes equipped with BLS EMS equipment, paramedics are available to respond immediately to emergencies.

PFPD has provided services for:

  • Plainfield Fest
  • Cruise Night
  • The Harvest Fest 5k and Kids Miler
  • Homecoming
  • Plainfield Irish Parade
  • Plainfield Central H.S. Football
  • Plainfield North H.S. Football
  • Plainfield East H.S. Football

If you would like more information to have Plainfield Firefighters and Paramedics provide services for a sporting event, for profit, on non-profit event, contact Chief Stratton at 815-436-5335.