Fire Department Special Teams work with specialized investigation and rescue situations, such as hazardous materials response, technical rescue, water rescue, and fire investigations.
The St. Charles Fire Department Fire Investigations Team is tasked with investigating all significant incendiary and accidental fires within the jurisdiction. Investigations are performed by team members who have received OSFM certification as Fire Investigators. Training consists of the initial 120 hour course and maintained through continuing education requirements for re-certification every four years. Our investigators have an average of 15 years of fire service experience, and an average of 10 years of fire investigator experience. Fire investigations, from time-to-time, involve other responding agencies such as local law enforcement, Kane County Fire/Arson Investigation Task Force, Office of the State Fire Marshal Fire/Arson Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Our investigators have also worked with resources such as the Illinois State Police Crime Lab, various fire/arson canine units and the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. We are committed to investigating the cause and origin of all fires within the jurisdiction in an effort to ensure a safe community through education and enforcement.
The St Charles Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team was created in response to the ever increasing quantity of hazardous materials that are located, manufactured or transported through our community each day. The team is made up of specially trained individuals who are dedicated to serving our city and protecting the environment through prevention, preparedness, with both efficient and effective response to hazardous materials incidents, whether accidental or intentional. We serve the community with a vision of the Hazardous Materials Team being able to identify and resolve issues regarding the planning, training, and preparation for, and response to hazardous materials incidents. The St Charles fire department is also a member of the MABAS division 13 Hazardous Materials Response team, which is a cooperative of several area departments that share resources and lend a helping hand when incidents require them. The St Charles Team is equipped with a designated engine company that utilizes specialty equipment for identification of potential hazardous substances, a 24’ trailer with equipment specifically designated for Hazardous Material incident responses and on-duty technicians.
The Honor Guard is used to promote our Department and the fire service, to the public in a positive and proper fashion. The City of St. Charles FD Honor Guard, founded in January of 2015; provides a dignified, honorable service for fallen members, their surviving family members, and our brothers and sisters through organization/participation in funeral and memorial services. The St. Charles Fire Department Honor Guard is most frequently used to represent our Department in City Parades and Fire Department Promotion/Retirement Ceremonies in order to maintain the traditions of the fire service.
In addition to the above, the Fire Department Honor Guard is responsible for the planning and participation of our 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, which takes place annually the morning of September 11th at the St. Charles Fire Department Memorial.
Annual Fire Department Ceremonies & Events:
- Memorial Ceremonies for current and retired SCFD Firefighters
- Retirement “Walk-Out” Ceremonies
- Promotion & Swearing-In Ceremonies
- City of St. Charles Memorial Day Parade
- Annual 9/11 Ceremony, September 11th
- Veterans Day Ceremony, November 11th
- Annual Elgin Area Firefighter Memorial
Annual Honor Guard Team Drills:
- January: Annual Meeting, Flag Posting & Flag Folding
- March: Drill & Ceremony
- May: Memorial Day Parade Preparation
- August: Drill & Ceremony Training for All Department Personnel
- September: 9/11 Ceremony Preparation
Honor Guard Team Members
- Lieutenant C. Tinsley (HG Commander/Team Leader)
- Lieutenant S. Rehak (Team Deputy)
- Deputy Chief A. Cavallo
- Captain M. Pyzyna
- Lieutenant C. Lo
- Lieutenant P. Lacey
- FF/PM C. Thomas
- FF/PM S. Siwy
- FF/PM M. Mols
- FF/PM K. Kasperek
- FF/PM C. Overland
Firefighters are occasionally called upon to address what constitutes a technical rescue. These are unique, high risk situations that are technically complex because they require specially trained personnel, complex incident management, detailed risk management, and highly specialized equipment in order to complete the mission successfully.
The St. Charles Fire Department maintains a technical rescue team of responders who are specially trained to perform complex rescues ranging from confined space, trench, high-angle rope, and extrication from heavy machinery, urban search & rescue where people are trapped within a collapsed structure, and much more.
The St. Charles Fire Department responders are trained to one of two levels. The Operations level is where they are able to operate basic equipment, apply limited techniques, and directly support Technician level responders. Technician level responders are highly trained specialists who are able to perform the most complex of rescue operations.
The St. Charles Fire Department is part of a larger response team of technically rescue made up of 6 area departments (St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, North Aurora, Aurora and Sugar Grove to that make up MABAS 13 Technical Rescue Team. The MABAS 13 team trains quarterly on all four disciplines to include Trench, Confined Space, High Angle and Structure Collapse.
The St. Charles Fire Department Underwater Rescue and Recovery Team’s mission is to provide a professional response to water rescue and recovery incidents for the residents of and visitors to the city of St. Charles as well as mutual aid for surrounding communities. The is currently made up of Ten divers, all of which are certified Paramedics. Team members are certified at the Public Safety Diver level, with Ice diving and Swift Water Rescue certifications. At this time, we are well equipped and trained to handle most any type of water related incidents in the area that we serve with a high degree of professionalism and safety for our personnel.