Emergency Medical Services
The Glenview Fire Department provides emergency medical service (EMS) to 60,000 people over a 21 square mile area that incorporates the Villages of Glenview and Golf and the Glenbrook Fire Protection District.
The Village operates five fire stations (see the list to the right) staffed by 85 full time emergency response personnel staff. Over seventy (70) of these employees are state certified EMT-Paramedics. The Department and its dispatch facility, the Glenview Public Safety Dispatch Center (GPSD) -- which has fifteen staff members -- are staffed to provide continuous service, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
All GPSD alarm operators are certified by the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch (NAEMD) and are trained to provide pre-arrival instructions to callers requesting emergency medical assistance.
GPSD alarm operators answer hardwire 9-1-1 emergency calls for the Villages of Glenview, Golf and a portion of unincorporated Cook County (Glenbrook Fire Protection District); both Golf and the Glenbrook Fire Protection District are serviced through contracts with the Village of Glenview. In addition, GPSD the main PSAP (Public Service Answering Point) for wireless 9-1-1 calls for the Villages of Glenview, Golf and the Glenbrook Fire Protection District. Additionally, all dispatch consoles have the ability to communicate with a hearing impaired person using TDD technology.
Emergency medical service may be accessed via 911 in the Village and surrounding areas and via the Fire Department emergency telephone number (724-2121). Persons may also report emergencies directly at any station, utilizing direct-to-dispatch hardlines located at each fire station entrance. A number of residents have installed automatic dialer medical alert alarms for which an extra telephone position has been added to the dispatch center. The GPSD maintains direct-to-station public address, telephone tie line, and radio transmission capabilities to facilitate uninterruptible communications with emergency response personnel. A fixed emergency generator provides back up power to the dispatch facility.
The Glenview Fire Department maintains four fully equipped advanced life support (ALS) ambulances; three manned and one in reserve. The Department responds to every request for emergency medical service with an ALS ambulance, staffed by Paramedics in accordance with requirements set forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and an IDPH approved ALS non-transport vehicle as noted below.
The Department provides defibrillators and other ALS equipment on all first responder fire apparatus to augment existing basic life support (BLS) supplies. This action allows us to provide more rapid intervention and does not, in any way, diminish or delay the response of an ALS ambulance to each and every request for EMS. Each of the department's staffed engines and ladder truck are designated by IDPH as approved ALS non-transport vehicles.
The Glenview Fire Department provides emergency medical service according to the St. Francis EMS System's policies and procedures and medical standard operating procedures. Every ambulance and ALS non-transport vehicle is maintained according to the EMS Medical Director.
Ambulances, in accord with the St. Francis Standard Operating Procedures, transport to any one of four area hospitals, Glenbrook Hospital, Evanston Hospital, Lutheran General Hospital and Skokie Hospital.
Emergency units are dispatched based on proximity to the incident to obtain the fastest response. Prompt response is vital to a favorable outcome. So, when in doubt, call 911.