Mission Statement
The Godfrey Fire Department is a paramilitary based organization operating under an established chain of command, whose purpose is to protect life and property by providing quality fire protection, emergency medical care, public education, and emergency management to the citizens of the Godfrey Fire Protection District in a safe and cost effective manner.
Services
Emergency Medical Services: All career firefighters are certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health at the level of EMT-Basic at the minimum. In late 2016, GFPD launched advanced life support service. There are currently four ALS providers on staff. Transport and advanced life support service are provided by two ambulance providers, one private, and one hospital based. GFPD is dedicated to improving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival and was the first organization in Illinois to implement ResQCPR by Zoll Medical.
Public Education: Protection through prevention is a motto that the district embraces. GFPD participates in several public education events every year, especially during October which is fire prevention month. The district has two Public Fire and Life Safety Educators certified by the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal. If you would like to know more about our public education program please email our public education officer. In late 2016, GFPD launched a juvenile firesetter intervention program. Please reach out to us if you think your child may need this program.
Emergency Management: When disaster strikes Godfrey Firefighters respond. The fire chief is the designated emergency management coordinator for the Village of Godfrey and has a great working relationship with Madison County Emergency Management Agency and Illinois Emergency Management Agency. Godfrey does not have warning sirens and residents are encouraged to sign up for the Code Red notification service, that is free of charge. If you need assistance signing up, feel free to stop by either fire station. In late 2016, Godfrey was recognized by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency as only the second municipality in the state to meet rigorous requirements and receive the "Ready To Respond" designation.
Resident's Guide to Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management
Resident's Guide to Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management
Vehicle and Machinery Extrication: Three rescue engines and the light rescue are equipped with hydraulic rescue tools for vehicle extrication. All Godfrey firefighters are required to complete intensive annual training on vehicle rescue and extrication. Several members have obtained certification in vehicle and machinery operations and have attended training courses on new car construction, school bus extrication, and hybrid vehicle rescue.
Hazardous Materials Response: Five firefighters with GFPD are members of the MABAS 35/Madison County Hazardous Materials Response Team. This highly trained group of firefighters from throughout Madison County are required to be state certified hazardous material technicians. The team is ready to respond anywhere in the county as well as throughout the State of Illinois to mitigate any hazardous material emergency.
Technical Rescue: The district has a technical rescue program with core competencies in rope and confined space rescue. GFPD has three state certified rope rescue technicians as well as several other members with rope rescue and confined space experience and training.
Ice Rescue: GFPD has been available for ice rescue for several years. Special ice rescue suits and equipment allow safe, effective, and quick response to persons that have fallen through ice in the areas several ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water.
Inspections and Code Compliance: GFPD conducts over 300 business inspections annually for the Village of Godfrey under the 2012 edition of the International Fire Code. In addition, we have skilled personnel that perform new commercial construction plan review as well on-site inspections and verification.
History
In 1940 a group of citizens organized the Godfrey Fire Protection Association. This all volunteer organization started with one truck and operated out of the old Godfrey Creamery building. In 1946 after three attempts through election, the Godfrey Fire Protection District was formed. The district became tax supported which allowed the purchase of additional equipment.
In 1947 the district purchased a 500 GPM Mack pumper. By 1951 the first (and only) full-time paid firefighter was hired. This full-time firefighter along with twenty two volunteers provided fire protection to a growing community. Two new trucks were added to the fleet in 1954 and a panel truck served as a rescue vehicle. By 1960 a second station was added along with a new pumper. An International Class A pumper was delivered in 1963 to replace the aging 1947 Mack. A year later additional full-time staff was added and allowed the district to man the station around the clock. 1968 was a year of change for the district as the main fire station moved to its current location on Godfrey Road and the full-time firefighters unionized as Godfrey Firefighters Local 1692.
By 1976 the district had added additional manpower and another station at 1712 West Delmar. One year earlier a proud Chief Clifford Lee was quoted as saying," Presently, our district consists of two adequately manned fire stations, five radio-equipped pumpers, three tank trucks, one station wagon, one squad car, resuscitators, light plants, air packs, smoke ejectors, necessary fire extinguishers, and a hose washer and dryer for the immediate care of thousands of feet of hose."
The eighties marked a period of change for the fire service in Godfrey and throughout the country. No longer were firefighters expected to just fight fires. The institution of a county wide 911 dispatch system increased the number of emergency medical calls the district responded to. More and more firefighters became cross trained as emergency medical technicians or EMT's (a requirement for current full-time staff) and trained for hazardous materials emergencies.
Today, the district comprises an area of approximately thirty six square miles, protects over 18,000 people and responds to approximately 2000 calls annually. ISO class 3 fire protection is provided by 17 full-time and 12 paid on call staff operating out of two stations that house two rescue pumpers, a reserve rescue pumper, reserve pumper, water tanker/tender, two EMS vehicles, two brush trucks, and a command vehicle. All career firefighters are cross trained as emergency medical technicians or paramedics. Each dedicated firefighter stands ready to serve the citizens of the district at a moments notice.
The Godfrey Fire Protection District has a rich history full of pride, integrity and professionalism with a bright future ahead.
In 1947 the district purchased a 500 GPM Mack pumper. By 1951 the first (and only) full-time paid firefighter was hired. This full-time firefighter along with twenty two volunteers provided fire protection to a growing community. Two new trucks were added to the fleet in 1954 and a panel truck served as a rescue vehicle. By 1960 a second station was added along with a new pumper. An International Class A pumper was delivered in 1963 to replace the aging 1947 Mack. A year later additional full-time staff was added and allowed the district to man the station around the clock. 1968 was a year of change for the district as the main fire station moved to its current location on Godfrey Road and the full-time firefighters unionized as Godfrey Firefighters Local 1692.
By 1976 the district had added additional manpower and another station at 1712 West Delmar. One year earlier a proud Chief Clifford Lee was quoted as saying," Presently, our district consists of two adequately manned fire stations, five radio-equipped pumpers, three tank trucks, one station wagon, one squad car, resuscitators, light plants, air packs, smoke ejectors, necessary fire extinguishers, and a hose washer and dryer for the immediate care of thousands of feet of hose."
The eighties marked a period of change for the fire service in Godfrey and throughout the country. No longer were firefighters expected to just fight fires. The institution of a county wide 911 dispatch system increased the number of emergency medical calls the district responded to. More and more firefighters became cross trained as emergency medical technicians or EMT's (a requirement for current full-time staff) and trained for hazardous materials emergencies.
Today, the district comprises an area of approximately thirty six square miles, protects over 18,000 people and responds to approximately 2000 calls annually. ISO class 3 fire protection is provided by 17 full-time and 12 paid on call staff operating out of two stations that house two rescue pumpers, a reserve rescue pumper, reserve pumper, water tanker/tender, two EMS vehicles, two brush trucks, and a command vehicle. All career firefighters are cross trained as emergency medical technicians or paramedics. Each dedicated firefighter stands ready to serve the citizens of the district at a moments notice.
The Godfrey Fire Protection District has a rich history full of pride, integrity and professionalism with a bright future ahead.
Total call volume per year
Year Runs
2020 2073
2019 2140
2018 1973
2017 1971
2016 1971
2015 1960
2014 2038
2013 1906
2012 1698
2011 1642
2010 1692
2009 1523
2008 1532
2007 1486
2006 1416
2005 1299
2004 1100
2003 1050
2002 1063
2001 994
2000 990
2019 2140
2018 1973
2017 1971
2016 1971
2015 1960
2014 2038
2013 1906
2012 1698
2011 1642
2010 1692
2009 1523
2008 1532
2007 1486
2006 1416
2005 1299
2004 1100
2003 1050
2002 1063
2001 994
2000 990