Ottawa Fire Department

10/01/2026

📢 Telecommunicator Eligibility Testing

The City of Ottawa is conducting Civil Service testing to update our eligibility register for future Telecommunicator openings. If you’re interested in being considered when positions become available, now is the time to apply and take the exam!

📅 Application Deadline: October 9 at 11:59 PM
📝 Civil Service Exam: October 15 at 6 PM
💲 No exam fee

👉 Learn more about the testing process:
https://cityofottawa.org/392/Telecommunicator-Eligibility-Testing

📝 Apply online:
https://cityofottawa.org/FormCenter/Human-Resources-18/Application-for-Telecommunications-Civil-86

Share with someone who may be interested! 📞🚔🚒

10/01/2026

Telecommunication testing information for the City of Ottawa through the Civil Service Commission.

10/01/2026

Illinois State Police Troop 2 is holding a supply drive to benefit the Ottawa Pads Shelter! Please see the attached flyer for details.

09/24/2026

Over the past two months, Ottawa Fire Department personnel have been hard at work taking advantage of unique, specialized training opportunities across our city.

​•Heavy Vehicle & School Bus Extrication•

First, a massive thank you to CIMCO Recycling Ottawa, INC for their continuous support and hospitality. Cimco generously provided vehicles—including passenger cars, heavy vehicles, and school buses—giving our firefighters rare, hands-on experience in complex extrication scenarios. Using our Res-Q-Jack stabilization struts and Holmatro battery-powered hydraulic tools, crews practiced stabilizing large vehicles and safely extricating simulated victims.
​
•Confined Space Rescue Operations•

Most recently, our personnel teamed up with the City of Ottawa Illinois Government Public Works Department for joint confined space rescue drills. Did you know Public Works employees regularly enter potentially hazardous confined spaces to keep our city's infrastructure running smoothly? As their first response in an emergency, it's a responsibility we take very seriously. A big thank you to our Wastewater Department personnel for hosting these drills and sharing crucial insights into the specific hazards they encounter on the job.
​We appreciate our local partners who help us stay trained, proficient, and ready for any emergency!

09/22/2026

Congratulations to Firefighter Joe Ellena (pictured left) on completing his eighth and final Technical Rescue class for a grand total of 360 hours!

Let’s take a look at the individual classes needed to become fully educated in the Technical Rescue discipline:

- Rope Rescue Operations
- Rope Rescue Technician
- Trench Rescue Operations
- Trench Rescue Technician
- Confined Space Operations
- Confined Space Technician
- Structural Collapse Operations
- Structural Collapse Technician

Each of these classes covers a specific aspect of rescue operations as a whole. It is proof of a members investment of time and dedication to mastery. This accomplishment signifies a commitment to providing excellence in service to our community. Strong work Firefighter Ellena!

09/16/2026

Please see the attached press release for information regarding today’s structure fire

09/11/2026

09/07/2026

Please see the attached press release for information regarding this mornings structure fire on the city’s west side.

09/04/2026

OFD's very own, Lieutenant Bryce Johnson, just completed his eighth and final Technical Rescue class for a grand total of 360 hours! He attended this class with Firefighter Joseph Ellena who is also working towards this goal.

Let’s take a look at the individual classes needed to become fully educated in the Technical Rescue discipline:
- Rope Rescue Operations
- Rope Rescue Technician
- Trench Rescue Operations
- Trench Rescue Technician
- Confined Space Operations
- Confined Space Technician
- Structural Collapse Operations
- Structural Collapse Technician

OFD members are always striving to further their skills and scope of knowledge. Lieutenant Johnson has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to this effort. We commend all his hard work!
Congratulations Lieutenant Johnson on this accomplishment!

08/25/2026

Exciting news at OFD!

Our newest fire engine, Engine 1, was put into service on Monday.

With our oldest engine being retired from the fleet at 25 years old, Engine 1 will now be frontline out of our downtown station.

Thank you to the OFD members on our design committee for dedicating their time to spec out an Engine specifically tailored to the needs of our community!

Also, thank you to our Mechanics and members of Shift 2 for putting in the hours to get it ready for service!