Archive for January 18th, 2012

South Elgin fire looking to Elgin for dispatch

The Courier-News has an article describing a proposed change in dispatch services for police and fire in South Elgin.

Village officials say they have little concern if the South Elgin & Countryside Fire Protection District uses a dispatch center different from the one used by the South Elgin Police Department.

Facing a $1 million-plus upgrade for its existing dispatch center at the Village Hall, the Police Department is in negotiations to move dispatching services to KaneComm-911, Kane County’s dispatch center. KaneComm also has agreed to hire South Elgin’s existing dispatch staff, officials said.

The Fire Protection District, however, is looking to move its dispatch operations to Elgin later this spring. Elgin’s dispatch center is at the Elgin Police Department.

Right now, Jones said, the fire district pays the village for its dispatch services — $76,900 a year. When determining which dispatch center to move to, South Elgin took the elimination of that payment into account, he said.

Elgin’s proposal would cost the fire district $51,000 a year, Cluchey said. “I believe that there would be a savings. However, that savings will be put into some technology, like mobile data terminals. Will that become a wash? We don’t know that yet.”

No contracts have been signed. However, the South Elgin & Countryside board has given the fire district’s management, including Cluchey, the green light to pursue a contract, he said.

The entire article can be found HERE.

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Schaumburg to replace battalion chiefs with captains

The Daily Herald has an article describing changes that the Schaumburg fire chief is proposing:

Schaumburg Fire Chief David Schumann is enacting a three-phased restructuring of the fire department’s administration that, when complete, could save the village more than $500,000 a year in salaries and benefits.

The changes are similar to those proposed last fall aimed at flattening the command hierarchy of Schaumburg’s police department, a move intended to save $300,000 annually.

While the police department’s restructuring eventually will eliminate the rank of lieutenant, the fire department now plans to drop the position of battalion chief.

The timing of the three phases are contingent upon the retirements of each of the department’s three battalion chiefs. Though the first retirement will occur in February, the other two could be anywhere from six months to many years off, Schumann said.

While battalion chiefs have historically served as the department’s shift commanders, that role would be filled by fire captains after the reorganization.

 The entire article can be found HERE.

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Photos of Schiller Park engine

Scott Peterson submitted several images that he took recently of Schiller Park Engine 455, a 2007 Pierce Impel. The engine was originally built as a stock unit by Pierce with a 1,500-GPM pump, 500 gallons of water and 30 gallons of foam. It carries Pierce job #19623.

Schiller Park Fire Department Engine 455 Pierce Impel

Schiller Park Engine 455 as seen from the front. The Impel and the Velocity share the same cab. Scott Peterson photo

Schiller Park Fire Department Engine 455 Pierce Impel

Schiller Park Engine 455 is a 2007 Pierce Impel 1500/500/30A sn 19623. Scott Peterson photo

Schiller Park Fire Department Engine 455 Pierce Impel

As seen from the rear with a low hosebed and enclosed ladder storage. Scott Peterson photo

 

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