The Freeport Rural Fire Department was established in 1961 and since that time our firefighters have consistently been willing and able to protect the people of both our district as well as the surrounding districts. As is the case everywhere, we have come a long way since 1961. Our Department has endured a spike in population as well as adapted to the changing expectations of the fire service community. Currently, the Department is committed to protect over 3,200 residences and over 1,400 commercial, industrial, local businesses, offices and Highland Community College. Our Department covers over 75 square miles of territory and is shaped around the City of Freeport. We also provide mutual aid to over twenty surround communities and routinely assist with any large emergencies. As a Department, our firefighters have at least one monthly training night and one business meeting. In addition to the monthly training, our Department often hosts a wide array of additional training classes for both our Department as well as surrounding Departments.

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Our Department consists of multiple roles. We have three trustees, which are appointed by the Stephenson County Board, that govern and oversee the Department as a whole. We also have nearly forty volunteer firefighters. All our firefighters call the Freeport area home and pride themselves on the ability to protect families, farms and businesses in our area through their skills learned through training and experience in response to a multitude of emergency incidents. Of those forty firefighters, we have three Lieutenants, three Captains, two Assistant Chiefs and one Chief.