Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire & Emergency Services - Great Lakes

09/11/2026

Today, we remember and honor all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

We will never forget the victims, the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice, and the countless lives forever changed that day.

🇺🇸 Never Forget. 9/11/2001 🇺🇸

09/10/2026

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Retired Captain Tangerstrom.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the honor of serving alongside him. Rest easy, Captain. 🚒

09/10/2026

Day and night three of live-fire burns for our crews on the burn trainer! 🔥🚒

Another great night of hands-on training, sharpening skills and working together as a team. Great job by all hands—strong work and solid effort from everyone involved! 👊🔥

09/06/2026

🇺🇸🔥 LABOR DAY: TAKE A BREAK, NOT A CHANCE WITH FIRE!

Labor Day is for relaxing, grilling, and enjoying one last unofficial taste of summer. Whether you’re firing up the grill, hanging out around a fire pit, or spending the day with family and friends, keep fire safety on the menu!

🌭 Grill outside only — and keep it at least 10 feet away from your home, deck railings, and anything that can burn.

🔥 Never leave the grill unattended. A quick trip inside can turn into a big problem fast.

👧🏻🐶 Create a 3-foot “kid- and pet-free zone” around grills and fire pits.

🧯 Keep something nearby to handle a small fire — a fire extinguisher, baking soda for a grease flare-up, or a garden hose when appropriate.

🥩 Grease fire? NEVER use water. Turn off the heat if you can do so safely and close the grill lid.

🔥 When the fun is over, make sure coals and fires are completely out and cool before leaving them unattended or disposing of them.

From all of us at Naval Station Great Lakes Fire & Emergency Services, have a safe, relaxing, and fire-free Labor Day! 🇺🇸🚒

Enjoy the cookout. We’d rather not be invited. 😎🔥

09/01/2026

🔥🎓 SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL CAMPUS FIRE SAFETY MONTH

Dorm room. Barracks room. Apartment.

Different setup, same fire safety rules.

Before the semester gets too chaotic, give your space a quick safety check:

🔌 Don’t overload outlets or power strips. If your charging setup looks like it could power a small city, it might be time to unplug a few things.

🔋 Charge safely. Use the correct charger and stop using batteries or devices that are damaged, swollen, unusually hot, or giving off an odor.

🚨 Leave smoke alarms alone. Never cover, disable, or remove them, even when they’re interrupting your microwave masterpiece.

🚪 Keep exits clear. Shoes, laundry, boxes, backpacks and furniture shouldn’t become an obstacle course when you need to get out quickly.

🗺️ Know two ways out. Don’t wait for an emergency to figure out where you’re going.

🍜 Use cooking and microwave appliances safely. Stay nearby, follow manufacturer instructions, and only use appliances permitted in your building.

College life can be chaotic enough.

🔥 Your housing doesn’t need to be.

Charge smart. Keep it clear. Know your way out.

08/31/2026

Congratulations to Chief Micheal Applegate on 27 years of dedicated fire service! 🚒🎉

Happy retirement, Chief—you’ve definitely earned it! Thank you for your years of service, leadership, and dedication. We hope your next chapter is relaxing, rewarding, and full of new adventures.

Enjoy retirement, Chief!👏

08/24/2026

WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO? 🤔

Someone collapses at the grocery store.
A child starts choking.
A family member suddenly stops breathing.

Those first few minutes matter, and you don’t have to be a firefighter, EMT, or healthcare professional to learn how to help.

Did you know several fire departments right here in Lake County offer low-cost (and sometimes FREE) CPR, AED and First Aid training?

📍 Countryside Fire Protection District – Mundelein
CPR/AED, First Aid & BLS courses
✅ FREE for Fire District residents
✅ $65 for non-residents

📍 Gurnee Fire Department
CPR: $35 residents / $50 non-residents
First Aid: $35 residents / $50 non-residents

📍 North Chicago Fire Department
Offers CPR/First Aid training with an in-person skills portion for $55 after completion of the applicable online course.

📍 Grayslake Fire Protection District
Offers CPR classes throughout the year at Fire Station #1.

You may never need to perform CPR. But if you do, you’ll be glad you learned.

Take a class. Bring a spouse. Bring your teenager. Bring a friend. Learning how to save a life is a pretty good way to spend an afternoon. ❤️🚑

Course availability, eligibility and pricing may change. Contact the individual department before registering.

08/17/2026

🌪️⛈️ MIDWEST SEVERE WEATHER STARTER PACK:

✅ Phone at 3% battery
✅ Lawn chairs still outside
✅ Somebody standing on the porch saying, “It doesn’t look that bad.”
✅ Tornado sirens start… and suddenly the whole neighborhood becomes meteorologists. 😂

When severe weather moves in, don’t rely on what it looks like outside.

👀 WATCH: Be ready and stay weather-aware.
🚨 WARNING: Head to your safe place immediately.

Choose the lowest level, stay in an interior room away from windows, and protect your head and neck.

And yes… go ahead and bring the lawn chairs in. 😅

08/10/2026

🔋🔥 QUICK QUESTION: Where’s your phone charging right now?

On the couch? Under a pillow? Plugged in overnight? 👀

Lithium-ion batteries are in our phones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes and more—and knowing how to charge them safely can help prevent a fire.

This Thursday, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is hosting a FREE online event all about the 2026 Fire Prevention Week™ theme:

⚡ Safe Charging Is a Superpower!

You’ll learn:
🔋 Why lithium-ion batteries can catch fire
⚠️ How to spot signs of a damaged battery
🔌 Safer ways to charge, store and unplug your devices

📅 Thursday, August 13
⏰ 1:00–2:30 p.m. CDT
💻 FREE — registration required

👇 Before you scroll: What’s one device you have charging right now?

Register here:
https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5379217/D0B8C8B370A1016FCD700A49EF667FD6?partnerref=webinarspage

Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

08/09/2026

Today our department hosted its very first sensory‑friendly Touch‑A‑Truck and Meet‑A‑Firefighter event, and it was an great success. The kids showed up full of energy, curiosity, and excitement, and their smiles said everything. Our firefighters had just as much fun—answering questions, showing the rigs, and connecting with families in a way that truly matters.

We are grateful for everyone who came out and helped make this a welcoming experience for all.