History

Since 1888

Our history

The Plainfield Fire Protection District has protected the residents and businesses of the Plainfield area for more than 135 years — growing from an all-volunteer organization into a career fire and EMS agency serving over 60,000 people across 54 square miles.

The Early Years

Plainfield's volunteer fire company was established in 1888 to protect the growing village. For decades, volunteer firefighters responded from their homes and businesses to protect their neighbors, operating out of a modest station house in the heart of town.

Becoming a Fire Protection District

As the community grew beyond the village limits, the Plainfield Fire Protection District was organized as an independent unit of government under Illinois law — providing fire protection to the village and surrounding unincorporated areas of Will and Kendall County. The District's independent governance, elected Board of Trustees, and dedicated taxing authority gave it the structure to grow with the community.

Career Staffing & EMS

The transition from volunteer to career staffing brought 24/7 coverage from full-time Firefighter/Paramedics operating out of purpose-built stations. Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance service expanded the District's mission beyond fire suppression into emergency medical care — which today accounts for the majority of all responses.

Growth & Modernization

The District expanded to four stations strategically positioned across its 54-square-mile service area. A dedicated training facility was constructed at the Headquarters campus, and specialty teams — Hazardous Materials, Water Rescue, and Technical Rescue — were established through MABAS Division 15. The District earned an ISO Class 1 Public Protection Classification, placing it among the top 1% of fire agencies nationally.

Today

PFPD is staffed by career Firefighter/Paramedics across four stations, responding to over 5,600 calls annually. The District continues to invest in the training, technology, and infrastructure needed to serve a community that has grown from a small village into one of the fastest-developing areas in Will County.

Past Fire Chiefs

The image features a man in a uniform, likely a fire chief, with an American flag in the background and includes his name and years.
The image is a tribute portrait of David S. Riddle, who served from 2015 to 2018, wearing a white uniform and smiling.
The image features a man in a fire department uniform, with the name "John D. Eichelberger" and the years "1985 - 2015."
The image features a portrait of Richard Eldred, with the years 1982-1984 noted.
The image features a portrait of a man in a police uniform, labeled "Allen Hall 1976-1981."
The image features a vintage portrait of a man named Arthur Baish, with the years 1969-1975 noted below.
The image features a portrait of a man named William Zimmerman, with the years 1953-1968 indicated.
The image features a man named George L. Howieson, dated 1948-1952. It appears to be a portrait or memorial image.
The image features a black and white photo of a firefighter named Leroy P. Taylor, with the years 1935-1947 below his name.
The image features a man in a uniform, likely a fire chief, with an American flag in the background and includes his name and years.
The image is a tribute portrait of David S. Riddle, who served from 2015 to 2018, wearing a white uniform and smiling.
The image features a man in a fire department uniform, with the name "John D. Eichelberger" and the years "1985 - 2015."
The image features a portrait of Richard Eldred, with the years 1982-1984 noted.
The image features a portrait of a man in a police uniform, labeled "Allen Hall 1976-1981."
The image features a vintage portrait of a man named Arthur Baish, with the years 1969-1975 noted below.
The image features a portrait of a man named William Zimmerman, with the years 1953-1968 indicated.
The image features a man named George L. Howieson, dated 1948-1952. It appears to be a portrait or memorial image.
The image features a black and white photo of a firefighter named Leroy P. Taylor, with the years 1935-1947 below his name.

 

 

The Growth of the Plainfield Fire Protection District

A historic fire station in Plainfield, Illinois, featuring three vintage fire trucks parked outside.
A classic fire truck from the Plainfield Fire District, with firefighters posing on it, set against a brick building backdrop.
A historic black-and-white photo of fire trucks lined up outside the Plainfield Fire District building, with an American flag flying.
A fire station in Plainfield, featuring a truck and a car parked outside, surrounded by sparse trees and a quiet road.
A brick building with large windows and a distinctive symbol on the front, featuring a simple entrance and an industrial vibe.
A lineup of fire trucks and emergency vehicles parked in front of a fire station, with the American flag in the background.
The image shows several fire trucks and emergency vehicles parked in front of a fire station building. An American flag is visible.
A modern building with large windows, flanked by flags, set against a clear blue sky and green landscaping.
The image shows a fire station with a U.S. flag, alongside a small house and parked cars in a street setting.
A lineup of fire trucks and emergency vehicles parked in front of a fire station, with the American flag in the background.
A group of firefighters posing together in uniforms, featuring helmets and jackets, in front of a fire truck.
A historic fire station in Plainfield, Illinois, featuring three vintage fire trucks parked outside.
A classic fire truck from the Plainfield Fire District, with firefighters posing on it, set against a brick building backdrop.
A historic black-and-white photo of fire trucks lined up outside the Plainfield Fire District building, with an American flag flying.
A fire station in Plainfield, featuring a truck and a car parked outside, surrounded by sparse trees and a quiet road.
A brick building with large windows and a distinctive symbol on the front, featuring a simple entrance and an industrial vibe.
A lineup of fire trucks and emergency vehicles parked in front of a fire station, with the American flag in the background.
The image shows several fire trucks and emergency vehicles parked in front of a fire station building. An American flag is visible.
A modern building with large windows, flanked by flags, set against a clear blue sky and green landscaping.
The image shows a fire station with a U.S. flag, alongside a small house and parked cars in a street setting.
A lineup of fire trucks and emergency vehicles parked in front of a fire station, with the American flag in the background.
A group of firefighters posing together in uniforms, featuring helmets and jackets, in front of a fire truck.