The Dixmoor Fire Department was closed down this morning. Previous articles discussed the decision and correspondence.
Dennis McGuire, Jr. was there this morning as the final announcement was made over the speaker, the tanks were drained, and the door was locked. We expect to have images and audio from Dennis tomorrow.
Radioman911.com has the touching, final salute from MABAS Division 22:
thanks Chris
#1 by Capt. Jeff Coffou "Fired" DFD FF on February 25, 2014 - 10:47 AM
Hello Everyone, I just wanted to inform you of what has gone on. The last fire chief, allowed the village to remove 2 members from full time status leaving manpower at 2. Then Dec 1 everyone was finally fired. The last fire chief was cousins with the mayor and was previously hired in approximately 1998. When the mayor was a trustee she made it her personal goal to disband the fire dept which she accomplished dec 1 2013. She ignored the contract and needs of the village and citizens she swore to protect. If you think Harvey can protect the village you are crazy, there are 3 sets of trains in town that block access to parts of town. There have been multiple fires that I have been in command of where my automatic aid depts were trained. They are not only putting the village of Dixmoor in jeopardy they are putting Robbins, calumet park, Posen, Phoenix, riverdale and blue island who we run auto aid to. I spend 15 years protecting that town and rose through the ranks to captain, received 9 bravery awards, 5 valor awards, 2 merits for rescues I’ve made. Noone knows more about this dept and noone can protect it like I did!
#2 by Jim on December 19, 2013 - 4:12 PM
Is that $250,000 per year? or for all three years?
#3 by Jason on December 19, 2013 - 3:45 PM
Went past the old Dixmoor firehouse and the rigs are still parked inside.
#4 by Dennis on December 3, 2013 - 9:03 AM
Ok everyone here are the facts: Harvey HAS voted on the contract for coverage, it was a special held meeting about a week ago. Harvey will be paid $250,000 for a 3 year contract. Buds ambulance also has a 3 year contract. As to the rigs that’s unknown at this time. The firehouse is supposed to be taken over by the public works department. Ok now here is the most important part. The fire department will be back up and running in roughly 6 months. The village board has broken both state and federal laws in down this and the team of lawyers from SEIU have begun the process to reopen the fire department. They couldn’t do anything till a union member was ” harmed”.
#5 by mike on December 2, 2013 - 11:43 PM
Where r the rigs going?
#6 by Tom on December 2, 2013 - 9:51 PM
I remember back in the mid 90’s former Harvey mayor Nick Graves was forcibly trying to annex Dixmoor because they owed Harvey 4 million plus for water. Like I said, I don’t see how Dixmoor will save money by shutting down their fd, when Buds needs to make a profit and Harvey needs to cover their costs. Not to mention Dixmoor can be easily shut off from Harvey by a freight train blocking a crossing.
#7 by Aaron on December 2, 2013 - 9:12 PM
Not sure as to what Harvey is charging but you must take into fact that the Harvey Village board has not even voted on the matter. But most likely come to a reasonable agreement with Dixmoor. As for EMS coverage that is being handled by Buds Ambulance out of Dolton which in my opinion will cause more grief in the long run
#8 by Steve on December 2, 2013 - 5:51 PM
You guys can apply here… A hell of a lot more then Dixmoor. http://www.stanard.com/public-safety-job-applications/downers-grove-fire
#9 by Steve on December 2, 2013 - 5:50 PM
Private ambulance companies will come if you have “Cash, Check, or Charge” or they will verify insurance first. They might do it now under this case but the bills will go though and collections will start if not paid. They will not do it for free for long.
#10 by Crabby Milton on December 2, 2013 - 5:23 PM
That message from MABAS could not have been in better taste and respect.
#11 by Tom on December 2, 2013 - 2:31 PM
So how much is Havery charging for fire and how much for the private ambo co? I bet you both Harvey fire and the private ambo co pay more than $12 an hour that Dixmoor paid their ff/pm’s.
#12 by Matt on December 2, 2013 - 11:08 AM
Harvey will be providing fire protection and a local ambulance service will handle EMS
#13 by Steve on December 2, 2013 - 9:31 AM
So who is protecting the town? Mutual Aid or another private company for the cheep?