“The Kankakee Fire Department will serve all people with professionalism, pride and compassion through prevention, education, and emergency response.”
• It is designated ISO Class 1, reflecting a high level of fire protection capability and performance.
• The department provides a variety of services beyond fire suppression, including:
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance/emergency medical services
• Hazardous materials (HazMat) response
• Tactical rescue operations
• Fire prevention and inspection, education, public outreach
• Water rescue/river emergencies (on the Kankakee River within city limits)
KFD should be a great place to work! Most member with less than 5 years are motivated and wanting to work! Senior members have been beat down by past administrations and are afraid to stand up for what is right. 8k calls a year with 2 man engines and only 2 ambulances, bringing in $3mil+ a year in billing goes to every dept but the fire dept. Apparatus are out of service more than in service and the maintenance is non existent. City administration is all about the dollar and have been quoted saying “we all have choices” when talking about employees leaving for other depts. Would not recommend unless the administration is changed and the union decides to fight the city instead of giving up.
The KFD across the board is inconsistent. Most Lt’s are great people and great instructors however the inconsistency begins at the shift commander level. Not always in a bad way but certain shifts clearly getting the better end of straw. We have been out of contract for well over a year with little to almost no progress being made recently even with a full draft written up and voted on. The chief I
Himself is a good guy who cares about his guys however is extremely reactionary to little things that don’t matter (make sure not to wear your hat backwards in training). The true problem lies with the deputy chief who runs logistics. Often times the men will complete their vehicle checks and when something comes about he would immediately blame the guys who are always quick to point out it was reported and sent to his office. The only other gripe is the ambulance and equipment. For awhile members were riding on rigs that were older than some of them. The city runs approximately 8000+ calls a year with only two ambulances. Administration wishes to install a 3rd ambulance however they don’t wish to increase staffing to subsidize for this.
Administration is a joke. Will not get the employees proper tools required for the job. Will put fire engines that can not pass a pump test and that have massive exhaust leak into the cab.
Place continues to live in the past. False promises with Chiefs who only wish to please the City Officials to keep their job. Don’t worry help is on the way! Atleast that’s what has been said for multiple years in a row. ISO 1 with 2 man engine companies and 2 ALS ambulances being beat down and more added everyday. The only reason the place stays standing is because of those on the front lines taking the beatings.
This department should be one of the best in the county and could be. When command team does not back the guys on the street and would rather run them to the ground, run 2 man engines, fight for the city against the guys for contract raises and the union not wanting to put their foot down for what is right is grounds for disaster. Assistant Chief can’t do his job and is a disgrace to the department. The chief has no backbone and would rather please politicians than keep his guys safe and happy. The ambulance brings the City a huge amount of money yet we can’t get new stuff, only used junk to work out of, no raise, no more employees, the list goes on and on. There used to be over 100 applicants for this department when they tested now they are lucky to get 20 it seems like.
Not a place for a career job by any means until the city recognizes the amount of BS the FD and PD deal with and get paid for how they should be. I hope Mayor Christopher Curtis and administration see what they are doing to the ones not sitting behind a desk.
KFD could be a great dept. The administration is focused on pinching pennies rather than investing in personnel and apparatus. Members are not paid or given time off to take classes. Pay is “good for the area” but does not account for the call volume (roughly 8k a year). Because of understaffing taking overtime is encouraged. Many of the apparatus are over 20 years old and the focus is on repairs and maintenance rather than investing in new rigs. The city says it supports its first responders by the dept has gone without a contract for 2 years. The members are fiercely loyal to each other and take pride in their work. They are bonded through the trenches. They deserve quality pay, quality equipment, and an administration willing to go to bag for them.
So, I find all these comments made on 9-24-25 quite interesting, yet sad to say the least. From reading them, it looks like a coordinated attack against the department, leadership, and so on; all on the same day. I am pretty sure the Chief has an Open Door policy that anyone who posted could have taken the time to address your concerns. Knowing how Kankakee operates, if you don’t like your job, you don’t go out & bash it to death. I’m sure McDonalds is accepting applications, if you’re that unhappy. You think you’re the only department going through contract issues, or staffing concerns.
Be grateful & humbled you have a job, one that provides you a living salary, insurance, pension. Instead of bashing your department (yourself) do the right thing and bring ideas, solutions to the table. When I read these comments, I wonder how many would still be written if your real name was attached? Probably not many.
I believe in the last few years, the department has received or ordered; Ambulance-Engine-Truck. While it’s not the City/Departments fault it takes so long for new apparatus to come in, they’re providing you with the resources to do your job. A hearing recently on Capitol Hill, apparatus manufactures were grilled about the excessive time it takes & costs to get new ones. Good things come for those who wait.
And why exactly is it the City’s fault that no one is testing anymore? It’s everywhere USA. Departments all over are not getting the number of applicants like they did years ago; that’s both PD & FD.. Stop the finger pointing, and ask what are you doing to make it better? I was there for 30 years, so you’re not going to tell me how bad you have it now. You have no idea how good you have it now. And if you’re that unhappy with your career there, don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out…
To user 1055, the cliche of “I have an open door policy” is just that, cliche. There is no such thing as an open door policy. If you voice your concerns openly then you are retaliated against. You are labeled a “disgruntled employee”. You are in the crosshairs of HR. You won’t get that training you wanted or get the promotion you desired. I know, it’s happened to me. I voice my concerns openly to my admin and I was stifled in my career. I have seen it happen to other. My Chief holds grudges and if you betray his trust you are blacklisted. Maybe the reason your people don’t use the “open door policy” is because they fear retribution from him. They know their concerns will fall on deaf ears and now they (the employee) are on the “list”.
Rating Breakdown
1.6/5
2.2/5
1.8/5
1.8/5
9 Reviews on “Kankakee Fire Department”
KFD should be a great place to work! Most member with less than 5 years are motivated and wanting to work! Senior members have been beat down by past administrations and are afraid to stand up for what is right. 8k calls a year with 2 man engines and only 2 ambulances, bringing in $3mil+ a year in billing goes to every dept but the fire dept. Apparatus are out of service more than in service and the maintenance is non existent. City administration is all about the dollar and have been quoted saying “we all have choices” when talking about employees leaving for other depts. Would not recommend unless the administration is changed and the union decides to fight the city instead of giving up.
The KFD across the board is inconsistent. Most Lt’s are great people and great instructors however the inconsistency begins at the shift commander level. Not always in a bad way but certain shifts clearly getting the better end of straw. We have been out of contract for well over a year with little to almost no progress being made recently even with a full draft written up and voted on. The chief I
Himself is a good guy who cares about his guys however is extremely reactionary to little things that don’t matter (make sure not to wear your hat backwards in training). The true problem lies with the deputy chief who runs logistics. Often times the men will complete their vehicle checks and when something comes about he would immediately blame the guys who are always quick to point out it was reported and sent to his office. The only other gripe is the ambulance and equipment. For awhile members were riding on rigs that were older than some of them. The city runs approximately 8000+ calls a year with only two ambulances. Administration wishes to install a 3rd ambulance however they don’t wish to increase staffing to subsidize for this.
The guys on the line are phenomenal but leadership and city administrators are corrupt and weak.
Administration is a joke. Will not get the employees proper tools required for the job. Will put fire engines that can not pass a pump test and that have massive exhaust leak into the cab.
Place continues to live in the past. False promises with Chiefs who only wish to please the City Officials to keep their job. Don’t worry help is on the way! Atleast that’s what has been said for multiple years in a row. ISO 1 with 2 man engine companies and 2 ALS ambulances being beat down and more added everyday. The only reason the place stays standing is because of those on the front lines taking the beatings.
This department should be one of the best in the county and could be. When command team does not back the guys on the street and would rather run them to the ground, run 2 man engines, fight for the city against the guys for contract raises and the union not wanting to put their foot down for what is right is grounds for disaster. Assistant Chief can’t do his job and is a disgrace to the department. The chief has no backbone and would rather please politicians than keep his guys safe and happy. The ambulance brings the City a huge amount of money yet we can’t get new stuff, only used junk to work out of, no raise, no more employees, the list goes on and on. There used to be over 100 applicants for this department when they tested now they are lucky to get 20 it seems like.
Not a place for a career job by any means until the city recognizes the amount of BS the FD and PD deal with and get paid for how they should be. I hope Mayor Christopher Curtis and administration see what they are doing to the ones not sitting behind a desk.
KFD could be a great dept. The administration is focused on pinching pennies rather than investing in personnel and apparatus. Members are not paid or given time off to take classes. Pay is “good for the area” but does not account for the call volume (roughly 8k a year). Because of understaffing taking overtime is encouraged. Many of the apparatus are over 20 years old and the focus is on repairs and maintenance rather than investing in new rigs. The city says it supports its first responders by the dept has gone without a contract for 2 years. The members are fiercely loyal to each other and take pride in their work. They are bonded through the trenches. They deserve quality pay, quality equipment, and an administration willing to go to bag for them.
So, I find all these comments made on 9-24-25 quite interesting, yet sad to say the least. From reading them, it looks like a coordinated attack against the department, leadership, and so on; all on the same day. I am pretty sure the Chief has an Open Door policy that anyone who posted could have taken the time to address your concerns. Knowing how Kankakee operates, if you don’t like your job, you don’t go out & bash it to death. I’m sure McDonalds is accepting applications, if you’re that unhappy. You think you’re the only department going through contract issues, or staffing concerns.
Be grateful & humbled you have a job, one that provides you a living salary, insurance, pension. Instead of bashing your department (yourself) do the right thing and bring ideas, solutions to the table. When I read these comments, I wonder how many would still be written if your real name was attached? Probably not many.
I believe in the last few years, the department has received or ordered; Ambulance-Engine-Truck. While it’s not the City/Departments fault it takes so long for new apparatus to come in, they’re providing you with the resources to do your job. A hearing recently on Capitol Hill, apparatus manufactures were grilled about the excessive time it takes & costs to get new ones. Good things come for those who wait.
And why exactly is it the City’s fault that no one is testing anymore? It’s everywhere USA. Departments all over are not getting the number of applicants like they did years ago; that’s both PD & FD.. Stop the finger pointing, and ask what are you doing to make it better? I was there for 30 years, so you’re not going to tell me how bad you have it now. You have no idea how good you have it now. And if you’re that unhappy with your career there, don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out…
To user 1055, the cliche of “I have an open door policy” is just that, cliche. There is no such thing as an open door policy. If you voice your concerns openly then you are retaliated against. You are labeled a “disgruntled employee”. You are in the crosshairs of HR. You won’t get that training you wanted or get the promotion you desired. I know, it’s happened to me. I voice my concerns openly to my admin and I was stifled in my career. I have seen it happen to other. My Chief holds grudges and if you betray his trust you are blacklisted. Maybe the reason your people don’t use the “open door policy” is because they fear retribution from him. They know their concerns will fall on deaf ears and now they (the employee) are on the “list”.