About Us

The Cary Fire Protection District proudly serves the communities of Cary, Trout Valley, Oakwood Hills, and our neighboring areas. Located in McHenry County in northern Illinois, the town of Cary was named in 1841 and sits approximately 45 miles northwest of Chicago. The area includes the town of Cary with its central business district, several small villages, and wide stretches of rural landscape.
With a history spanning over 100 years, the Cary Fire Protection District operates as a separate entity from the Village of Cary. We provide fire suppression, rescue services, and advanced life support ambulance care to more than 35,000 residents. Our coverage area includes Trout Valley, Oakwood Hills, portions of Algonquin and Lake in the Hills, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas in both McHenry and Lake Counties. We also respond to emergencies in neighboring communities through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, known as MABAS.
The district operates two stations and is staffed by more than 65 part-time and paid on call members, along with six full-time career personnel. All members are certified through the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal and the McHenry and Western Lake County Emergency Medical Services system. Each firefighter holds Certified Firefighter II and Emergency Medical Technician Basic credentials, and more than 35 members are also licensed paramedics.
Cary Firefighters Association
The Cary Firefighters Association is a benevolent organization made up of all members of the Cary Fire Protection District. The Association hosts several events each year, including the Annual Turkey Raffle held on the first Friday of November.
Funds raised by the Association directly support the community through programs such as the College Scholarship Award, Burn Camp sponsorship, assistance for families displaced by fire, and support for local youth sports teams.
While membership is limited to department personnel, donations from the public are always welcome. Contributions can be made payable to the Cary Firefighters Association. If you wish to direct your donation to a specific program, please note the intended use when submitting your contribution.
