A Ride Along with Lake Forest's Fire Department

When we think of the fire department, we often picture emergency calls, fire engines, and flashing lights. But behind the scenes, the Lake Forest Fire Department is part of a larger team that keeps the city running smoothly and safely.
Lieutenant Nicholas Savel, a paramedic with the department, explained just how interconnected their work is with other city departments. “If we’re dealing with anything involving gas lines, we’ll call Public Works to help us install isolation valves,” he said. “Or if a house is flooding and we can’t locate the shutoff valves, we work with the Water Department.” He also emphasized how closely the fire department works with the Police Department, especially on emergency calls involving traffic incidents or mental health situations. “They stabilize the scene before we go in: it’s a team effort.”
While not all firefighters live in Lake Forest, many have strong ties to the area. Lieutenant Savel himself lives in Wisconsin but chose to work here because he was born in Lake Forest and has family roots in the region. “A lot of firefighters choose Lake Forest because it’s active and engaging, but not as physically demanding as departments in larger cities like Chicago. It’s a better balance for long-term health.”
Traditionally, many firefighters held second jobs to support their families, but that’s changing. “These days, we see more spouses picking up second jobs, which gives firefighters more time to focus fully on their work here,” he said.
Beyond emergency response, the department is committed to connecting with the community. You may have seen them at birthday parties, block parties, or city events. They also partner with the Gorton Center for fire safety outreach and regularly visit local schools through a program called RiskWatch, which teaches children about fire prevention and emergency preparedness.
Like many departments in Lake Forest, the fire service is undergoing a technological shift. “Everything is mobile now,” Savel said. “We’ve gone from paper to tablets. All of our dispatch, medical records, and operations are done on iPads and computers.” While these tools increase efficiency, they come with risks. “If the system goes down, we’re stuck and we lose access to everything.”
One of the biggest long-term challenges the fire department faces is recruiting the next generation. “Fewer young people are going into the trades: firefighting, plumbing, welding. Most are leaning toward online careers or social media work,” he said. That shrinking candidate pool, combined with growing demands in training, makes recruitment harder than ever. “The training has gotten much more intense. What used to be an eight-page protocol is now 115 pages. New hires go through an eight-week academy and a year of medical training.”
And with the rise of electric vehicles, the job is getting even more complex. “EV fires are very hard to put out,” he said. “We’re still learning how to handle them safely and effectively.”
What can residents do to support the department? Lieutenant Savel kept it simple: “Educating yourself on basic safety goes a long way.”
Whether it’s responding to a fire, teaching school kids, or working side by side with Public Works, the Lake Forest Fire Department is constantly adapting to keep our city safe and ready for whatever comes next.