Fire Corps
About the Fire Corps
Fire Corps is a component of the Village’s Citizen Corps Council and functions as an operational team within the Fire Department. Fire Corps members are volunteers tasked with the responsibility of providing on-scene emergency rehab for firefighters. The team serves Hanover Park Fire Department and is an active part of the MABAS response system.
Additionally, Fire Corps assists with public fire and life safety education, community events, fire ground/emergency incident support and emergency management activities. They also conduct public CPR training. Fire Corps personnel are not utilized to replace line personnel and are not volunteer firefighters, but they are an integral part of the department’s operation.
Incident Scene Rehab Services
Each year 45 to 55 percent of all firefighter line-of-duty deaths are attributable to cardiovascular events. An additional 700 to 1,000 cardiovascular events occur that do not result in a fatality.
Heat stress has been proven to be a large contributing factor to these events. Firefighters operating in protective equipment (turnout gear, haz mat suits, and water rescue suits) are especially susceptible to heat stress injuries. On-scene rehabilitation coupled with medical monitoring has been proven to reduce these effects.
Reducing Line of Duty Deaths
The United States Fire Administration has established a goal of reducing firefighter line of duty deaths by 25 percent by the year 2010 and 50 percent by 2015. Actions taken to reduce line of duty deaths will also reduce firefighter injuries and illnesses. These preventative actions lessen the impact on firefighters, their families, their departments and communities as well as reduce the costs associated with workers compensation, disability pensions, and survivor/dependent benefits.
Become a Member
Membership is open to anyone 18 years old or older. Residency within the Village is not required.
Those interested in being part of the team need to complete a Village of Hanover Park Volunteer Fire Corps Application and provide all requested background documentation and professional licenses and certifications. When openings occur, applicants may be appointed only after passing prescribed background investigations and any pertinent physical, medical and psychological examinations.