The Melrose Park Fire Department was established on July 11th, 1895 as a volunteer fire department.  Our present department has strong roots in the founding ten man crew that responded with a two wheeled tank and hose cart that had to be pumped by hand.  

In 1913 the department got its first motorized vehicle.  Anthony Prignano was the first fire chief appointed in  1932. He served as the chief for 35 years as the department expanded from its strong roots as a volunteer department to an all full time department. The first fire station was located at 706 N. 18th avenue; it has since been removed to make room for the Melrose School expansion. 

In 1958 station two was opened on 15th avenue to provide additional protection to industry and residences in that area.  Station two housed the main offices for the department until Station Three was opened at 3601 W. Lake street in 1974.  Station two is still at that location and has been recently remodeled.

Station Three (3601 W. Lake Street) has housed the main offices of the Chief and Assistant Chief.   Fire Prevention Offices and training classroom and offices are also located at Station Three.   The station houses the Bronto Skylift aeriel ladder that was put into service in 2004. This state of the art aerial apparatus until recently was one of a kind in this area.  It replaced the 95’ Grumman Aerial Cat that was put in service in 1984 The departments first aerial apparatus was a three stage “Snorkel” unit made by the Seagrave Company.

On June 13th 1967 Anthony Zito became the second fire Chief he held the position until he was replaced by Alfred Mueller on April 1st 1972.   

Chief Mueller opened the 36th avenue station in 1974 which saw an expansion of the full time ranks to its present total.  He retired in 1985 an was replaced by John Anderson (the departments first training officer).  Anthony Maggio became chief in 1987 and remained so for ten years being replaced by James Cernauske in 1997.  Chief Cernauske retired in 2005.  

Our present Chief Richard Beltrame was appointed as a firefighter in 1981 and as also served as Lieutenant and Captain with the Melrose Park Fire Department.