The Zion Fire Rescue Department currently serves just under 25,000 residents in an approximate 8.2 square mile area. A major function of the Zion Fire Rescue Department is to provide emergency medical treatment to those persons in need in the city and to transport such persons when necessary, to a hospital. To ensure this goal the Zion Fire Rescue Department employs 24 full-time personnel split between three shifts. Each shift has 8 personnel with a minimum daily staffing of 6 personnel on duty 24 hours a day. All of these personnel are state certified paramedics and affiliated with the North Lake County EMS system.
The Zion Fire Rescue Department has three (3) MICU Ambulances all equipped to run ALS, advanced life support, emergencies. Each request for an ambulance in the city receives a response of an MICU unit from the responsible district with a duty crew of two paramedics. If additional help is needed the ambulance can request and engine company, also consisting of two paramedics for assistance. We have one engine, ALS equipped and certified by the state as a non-transport vehicle and can respond on medical emergencies when needed.
In addition, the Zion Fire Rescue Department also participates in an automatic response program with the three fire departments that surround Zion. The Quad One response includes Beach Park Fire Department, Newport Fire Department, and the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department. This gives us immediate access to additional ambulances and EMS personnel when needed.
For major emergencies the Zion Fire Rescue Department is part of the statewide MABAS box alarm system that makes available equipment and personnel from all departments in Lake County as well as other counties in the state if needed.