Through its Fire Prevention Bureau, the District provides a balanced approach to fire protection and application of the five Es – Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Early Warning & Early Suppression. This is accomplished with five key strategies:

  • Educate the public on fire safety practices
  • Building plan review to assure compliance with approved codes
  • Inspections to assure compliance with applicable codes and standards
  • Thorough fire cause & origin investigations to implement fire prevention action plans
  • Hydrant tests to assure adequate suppression water supply

The Bureau is staffed with four full-time personnel that work Monday through Friday during normal business hours. While primarily assigned to the Bureau, these personnel maintain certification as firefighters and paramedics, regularly respond to emergency calls, and participate in regular training with shift personnel. Bureau activity also includes multiple inspection of over 1,200 commercial, educational, and multi-family occupancies, building plan reviews, fire investigations, counseling sessions with juvenile firesetters and their parents, and hydrant inspections.

Building & Fire Codes

For information on building and fire codes in use for a specific area within the District, contact the following:

Jurisdiction Contact Information
Village of Vernon Hills Building Division (847) 367-3704 http://www.vernonhills.org/departments/BuildingDivision.asp
Village of Long Grove Building & Permitting (847) 634-9440 http://www.longgrove.net/Building_and_Permitting.htm
Village of Hawthorn Woods Building Department (847) 438-5500 http://www.vhw.org/index.aspx?nid=79
Village of Kildeer Building Department (847) 438-6000 http://www.villageofkildeer.com/building-division
Indian Creek & Unincorporated Lake County Lake County Planning, Building & Development (847) 377-2600 http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Planning/Default.htm

Additionally, the District’s Board of Trustees has adopted an amended version of the 2009 International Fire Code through Ordinance 12-O-12.

Public Education

Part of the Fire Prevention Bureau, the Public Education Division is responsible for communicating Countryside’s fire safety message to all of its customers from pre-school age through senior citizens. This is accomplished through community programs including block parties, CPR & first aid classes, the annual open house, and special events as well as through school programs reaching all grades from pre-school through eighth as well as high school students. The Public Education Division also provides safety education content for this website.

Personnel

Rudy Perocho

Firemedic/Inspector Serving Since 2024

Joel Severin

Firemedic/Inspector Serving Since 2005 Firefighter 2/Paramedic AAS Emergency Medical Technician Fire Apparatus Engineer Wildland Firefighter Hazmat Technician Swiftwater Rescue 2 BLS Instructor Car Seat Technician Wildland Equipment Turnout Gear Facility Supplies Lake & McHenry County Fire Departments Hazmat Team Lake & McHenry County Fire Departments Wildland Team

Ron Cielek

Lieutenant/Inspector Serving Since 1993 Fire Officer 2/Paramedic AAS Fire Science Technology Blue Card Command Fire Apparatus Engineer Fire Prevention Officer 1 Fire Investigator Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist Carseat Technician Secretary, Northern Illinois Fire Inspectors Association Inspections Fire Alarms Preplans Water Supply Evacuation Planning Plans Examiner

Tony Rodkey

Director of Fire & Life Safety Education/ Firemedic Serving Since 2000 Fire Officer 2/Paramedic MS Health & Physical Education BS Sociology Blue Card Command Fire Apparatus Engineer Fire Investigator Fire Prevention Officer 1 Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist Hazmat Technician BLS Instructor Member, National Fire & Life Safety Educators Public Education Programs Car Seat Inspections CPR Program Lake & McHenry County Fire Departments Hazmat Team