When I first set out to tour one of the largest fire stations on the South Side, I had a vague notion of what to expect. After all, I watch Chicago Fire, so I thought I knew about fire stations. I was expecting to chat with firefighters, see some serious-looking equipment, and plenty of shiny fire trucks. I soon discovered that the popular NBC series is unlike the real thing. The actual experience went far beyond my assumptions.
Chicago firehouses are open to the public, and tours are conducted as a public courtesy. Individuals can simply show up anytime between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., as long as firefighters aren’t busy; groups need to make reservations.
Despite being alone, I called ahead, and wound up scheduling a tour of Firehouse Engine Company 115, located at 1024 West 119th in West Pullman. I set up my first tour with Firefighter Adrienne Neely.
Neely, who was a police officer for fifteen years, has been a firefighter for eight years. She’s been assigned to that firehouse for the past three. Her role at the fire station is “225-Alpha,” or, in layperson’s terms, Deputy District Chief Anthony Frazier’s driver.
On the day of my tour, Neely met me at the firehouse’s main entrance. I was glad to see her waiting for me. The 27,000-square-foot, single-story building was colossal, and one could easily get turned around touring it.
Designed by the Public Building Commission in consultation with the Chicago Fire Department and the Office of Emergency Management (OEMC), the building was considered the largest firehouse ever constructed in the city proper when it was built in 2021. It houses two engines, one Tower ladder, two Advanced Life Support Ambulances, an OEMC communications monopole, an EMS Field Chief and a Deputy District Chief, according to the city.
The firehouse is “strategically located to allow for rapid response to both I-94 and I-57 interstate highways as needed, while serving its primary function of providing enhanced coverage of the far Southside, which has not seen a new multi-apparatus firehouse in decades,” the city said in a statement.
The tour began just inside the entranceway. My eyes were immediately drawn to a memorial banner that hung on the wall in honor of fallen Firefighter Jermaine Pelt, who died in the line of duty in 2023 while battling a house fire in West Pullman. Neely recounted where she was the day the call came through about the loss of Pelt. It was a reminder of the close family bond shared between the firefighters.
From there, we toured the Administrative Area, where strategic planning takes place and where the office of the Deputy District Chief is located along with other administrative staff.
Neely made the tour interesting by sharing her extensive knowledge of the fire station, blending in personal stories and station history. Periodically, I had a chance to briefly speak with firefighters as we entered each area–about seven of them that day. Every greeting was warm and courteous.
As we reached the kitchen and lounge area, it began to smell like a Creole restaurant down in New Orleans! The kitchen was state-of-the art and the lounge room reminded me of being at a spa.
It was clear that each space was designed with comfort and functionality in mind, reflecting the firefighters’ need for relaxation and rest in between shifts. Each room was designed to support the approximately twenty firefighters/EMTs, their duties and well-being.
One of the most striking aspects of the visit was the “Apparatus Bay,” where the fire trucks and emergency vehicles are housed. Neely explained the function of each piece of equipment from the high-pressure water pumps to the hoses. I even got to try on one of the uniforms! I could barely stand upright in it because it was so heavy, and I only had on the jacket and the helmet.
As the tour concluded, I thanked Neely for making my visit such an enriching experience and leaving me with an even deeper appreciation of their work.
If you’re considering a tour, I would highly recommend stopping by your local fire station and requesting one. You’ll be happy you did.
Firehouse Engine Company 115, 1024 W. 119th St.