Harvard's Fire Protection District consists of 47 trained firefighters, of which 22 are EMTs and 14 are paramedics. The district traces its history to 1865 when 5 men got together to purchase a fire engine for the village of Harvard. In 1871 the engine was sent to Chicago via the railroad to assist in the Great Chicago Fire. In 1892 it was again placed on a train to assist with a fire in the community of Kenosha, Wisconsin. In 1899 the first constitution and by-laws were drawn up for the Harvard Fire Department. The Harvard Rescue Squad was founded in 1956 with a $7000 donation from the Harvard Jaycees. In 1971 the City and Rural Fire Department merged to form the Harvard Fire Protection District.5
Currently the Harvard Fire Protection District is governed by a 3 member board of trustees appointed by the McHenry County Board. While the Fire District works very closely with the city of Harvard, it is a separate government agency. The district provides fire and emergency medical service for 108 square miles (280 km²), and is funded by ambulance user fees and property taxes. It is part of the Rock River Region EMS System, which is affiliated with Rockford Memorial Hospital, a Level I trauma hospital. The district also has a SCUBA dive team, trained for water rescue. This team is part of the McHenry County MABAS 5 Dive Team.
Law Enforcement
The Harvard Police Department is located in the lower level of City Hall. It consists of 19 full time police officers, 4 full time emergency dispatchers, 3 part time emergency dispatchers and 2 full time police assistants. The department has two bicycles for officers to patrol the city streets, parks, and downtown area. It also has a canine unit.6

The Fire Protection Technology curriculum is designed to provide individuals with technical and professional knowledge to make decisions regarding fire protection for both public and private sectors. It also provides a sound foundation for continuous higher learning in fire protection, administration, and management.
Course work includes classroom and laboratory experiences to introduce the student to various aspects of fire protection. Students will learn technical and administrative skills such as hydraulics, hazardous materials, arson investigation, fire protection safety, fire suppression management, law, and codes.  Graduates qualify for employment or advancement in governmental agencies, industrial firms, insurance rating organizations, educational organizations, and municipal fire departments. Employed persons should have opportunities for skilled and supervisory level positions within their current organizations.