It has numerous general purpose and specialized vehicles and equipment to accomplish its missions.

There are four bureaus under the command of the First Deputy Commissioner: Operations, Fire Prevention, Administrative Services, and Logistics.

The Bureau of Operations is composed of over 4,500 Uniformed Firefighters and EMS personnel and is commanded by a Deputy Fire Commissioner[5] The Fire Suppression and Rescue Division is organized into 5 Districts which command a total of 24 Battalions and 1 Special Operations Battalion.

The Bureau of Administrative Services commands the following Divisions: Personnel, Training, the Photo Unit, and the Employee Assistance Program.

[7] The Bureau of Fire Prevention commands the following Divisions: Code Compliance and Inspections.

The Bureau of Operations is currently the largest Bureau within the Chicago Fire Department and is organized into four Divisions: Fire Suppression and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Special Operations (including the Technical Rescue Unit, the Hazardous Materials Unit, and the Air-Sea Rescue Unit), and the Office of Fire Investigation (OFI).

[12] The arcade game Emergency Call Ambulance takes place in Chicago.