Mission Statement

The Dolton Fire Department is a team of skilled, trusted professionals dedicated to protecting life and property through life-safety education, fire prevention, emergency medical care, and all-hazards response. We serve with integrity, compassion, and excellence—partnering with our community to keep every neighborhood safe, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Statement of Purpose

We fulfill our mission by placing duty above personal comfort and continuously training and improving our capabilities. Our department provides full-time firefighting and paramedic services from stations at 14022 Park and 830 Engle Place; conducts regular fire inspections to ensure compliance with Village Code; and delivers ongoing education and outreach in schools, businesses, and community organizations. Through training, prevention, and rapid response, we meet the evolving needs of Dolton’s residents and businesses.

Today, the Fire Department is led by Chief Quention “Q” Curtis, who was appointed to this position in September of 2026.

Creating Our New Future

In 2023, the Dolton Fire Department hosted a hands-on Firefighter & EMT Training Academy that opened real career pathways for local young adults ages 18–30. The academy paired classroom instruction with practical drills, ride-along exposure, and mentorship from our firefighters and medics—so participants could see, feel, and perform the work of first responders.

The program removed barriers to entry by offering tuition-free training and direct guidance on certifications, testing, and hiring processes. Graduates gained the skills and confidence to pursue roles as firefighters, EMTs, and other first-responder positions, with many advancing into agencies across the region and beyond.

Building on the strong outcomes from 2023—including successful placements and a growing network of partner departments—our goal is to expand this model for future cohorts. The academy has also been recognized as a powerful crime-prevention and youth-development strategy, connecting residents to stable careers, discipline, and community service.

While the 2023 academy has concluded, the spirit of the work continues. We’re using what we learned to shape the next iteration—one that keeps opportunity close to home and keeps Dolton safer, stronger, and ready for tomorrow. For updates on future training opportunities, please contact the Dolton Fire Department.

Fire Safety — Quick Guide (Condensed)

Plan ahead. Make a two-exit home escape plan, pick a meeting place, keep hallways clear, and test smoke alarms monthly. Practice twice a year.

If there’s a fire:

1. Alert others and activate the alarm if available.

2. Call 911 from a safe location.

3. Get low and go under smoke to the nearest exit.

4. Check doors with the back of your hand; if warm, use another way out.

5. Evacuate immediately—don’t stop for valuables. Close doors behind you.

6. If clothing/hair ignites: STOP, DROP, and ROLL, then seek medical care.

7. Once out, stay out. Meet at your family’s spot and tell firefighters where the fire is.

Using a fire extinguisher (only if trained and safe):

• Ensure the fire is small, you have a clear exit behind you, and you have the right extinguisher.

• Remember P-A-S-S: Pull pin, Aim at base, Squeeze, Sweep.

• Classes:

  • A (trash/wood/paper): water or foam.

  • B (grease/liquids): dry chemical or CO₂. Never use water.

  • C (electrical): dry chemical or CO₂. Never use water.

Bottom line: Fires grow fast—sound the alarm, call 911, get out, and stay out. Use an extinguisher only when it’s truly safe.