Excerpts from the KaneCountyChronicle.com:
Officials of the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District on Thursday met with residents to talk about what the district’s next moves should be in light of a failed referendum … voters defeated the district’s rate hike request by a 3-1 margin in April, election records show.
Some of the roughly 10 residents who attended the Thursday meeting think the district needs to put another referendum question before the voters, but suggested officials change their approach from the previous effort.
“There seemed to be more emphasis on finance, equipment and budget … and not enough focus on the hardship of firefighters who work in the district,” district resident Dave Stohler said. “You have to present it in a more human fashion.”
Some of the district’s firefighter/paramedics left for better paying jobs and have not been replaced, said Bob Handley, the district’s board treasurer.
In an effort to promote the district and another possible referendum, some residents are considering the formation of a Friends of the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District group.
For information about the district, residents can call the district office at 630-584-3473 or email admin@frcfr.org.
thanks Dan
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#1 by Drew Smith on July 14, 2015 - 3:50 PM
As stated in the second sentence of my post, PSSI (Public Safety Services, Inc.) is the contactor for FRCPD.
#2 by Michael M on July 14, 2015 - 8:18 AM
If AES is not there anymore who are the Firefighters employed by?
#3 by Drew Smith on July 13, 2015 - 8:16 PM
AES hasn’t serviced FRCFPD for some time. PSSI has been doing so.
All new districts or departments tend to underestimate the full cost of operations. This is to be expected due to the complex nature of such an organization. While salaries are the largest expense there are loads of other costs that go along whether you use your own sworn people or a contract or POC/POP.
#4 by Mike on July 14, 2015 - 6:24 AM
Thanks for clarifying that AES isn’t there anymore. I thought they were still. I apologize for my misinformation.
This whole process for them was a disaster to start with. They had to build buildings, buy equipment and pay for manpower and everything else.
I understand their issue with Saint Charles but this was a very bad solution done at the taxpayers expense
#5 by Mike on July 12, 2015 - 9:12 PM
The trustees are not worried about any hardship on the employees because they are not their employees, they are AES’s employees and they make what the contract service pays them. The trustees are worried about paying off all the high amount of debit they have racked up while lying to taxpayers about how good having their own department is. They should have left this with Saint Charles to begin with and now since it is most likely the referendum isn’t going to pass the tax payers will lose again when the district goes insolvent and the firehouses get closed and the district gets divided between the surrounding fire districts