The Oak Forest Fire Department has 59 staff members serving the Oak Forest community, over two locations. 28 of the staff are sworn personnel, and 31 are paid, on-call personnel. The department is led by Fire Chief Terrence Lipinski and Deputy Fire Chief Charley Sopko. The department was founded in 1945.
The department works from two locations: Station 1 is located at 5620 James Dr. (around the block from the municipal building), Station 2 at 4907 W. 167th St.
The department operates with two advanced life support ambulances at each station and a third ambulance as backup. Department personnel are also members of the South Suburban Emergency Response Team (S.S.E.R.T.), Arson Task Force and Hazardous Materials Team. Members of the department also help provide fire prevention education through visits to Oak Forest schools and other special events.
