Fire department’s response times improved last year in Mount Prospect

Mount Prospect fire department response times improved last year, according to a report Fire Chief Tom Wang presented to the village board.

Wang told trustees last week the department hit a key National Fire Protection Association response-time benchmark.

Crews met national standards for engine arrivals in 90% of building fires, up from 80% before a new station opened in 2024.

Wang said the 90% statistic is the gold standard for response times. The first engine should arrive in five minutes and 20 seconds, and the second in seven minutes and 20 seconds.

“It’s very difficult to do,” he said. “Most departments do not achieve this statistic.”

He said a major factor in the improved performance was the opening of a new station south of the tracks. The new station, Fire Station 11 at 1415 E. Algonquin Road, had once been the headquarters for the Elk Grove Rural Fire Protection District.

“This Station 11 has now improved services throughout the entire village of Mount Prospect,” Wang said.

Wang said the area south of the railroad tracks generates roughly 55% of the department’s calls. Before Station 11 opened, the south side was primarily covered by one engine out of Station 12 at 1601 W. Golf Road. When that was unavailable, the department would rely on Station 13 at 111 E. Rand Road and mutual aid.

“Now we have two stations, two fire vehicles and two ambulances on each side of the tracks, and they’re able to respond to calls appropriately and not have to worry if there is a train delaying our responses,” he said.

Looking ahead, Wang outlined plans for the addition of a smaller rapid-response vehicle staffed by two firefighter/paramedics. This will free up larger vehicles and ambulances for other emergencies.