Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
Mount Prospect’s fire department could have its staffing restored to 2010 levels, thanks to a $1.3 million federal grant that would allow the village to hire six additional full-time firefighters. But now village officials face the challenge of paying for the new hires once the two-year grant ends.
At Tuesday’s joint meeting of the village board and the finance commission, Mayor Arlene Juracek and trustees gave Fire Chief John Malcolm the signal to accept the grant.
Although the grant brings benefits, it also poses challenges, as outlined by Acting Village Manager David Strahl. At the end of the grant period, the full cost of the additional personnel will amount to $922,000 during 2018.
Strahl suggested funding options for 2018, including pre-funding through the property tax, using reserves, boosting ambulance fees, and increasing the business license fee from $75 to a minimum of $100, with the fee based on overall square footage, to more accurately reflect the cost of a fire inspection.
Additional revenue could be generated by charging for responding to a fire, something that is done on the West Coast, although no departments in the immediate area do so, he said.
Besides providing funding for six more firefighters, the grant would allow the department to promote three current firefighters to the rank of lieutenant and reinstate Engine 13. That engine, based out of downtown Station 13, was put out of commission in 2011 as a result of budget cuts. With Engine 13 out of service, the department has been using a tower ladder to respond to routine calls.
Excerpts from MySuburbanLife.com:
… the Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded a $216,667 grant to the East Joliet Fire Protection District for operations and safety. The funding is provided through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which seeks to strengthen the nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards.
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#1 by Robert Quinn on August 17, 2015 - 2:19 PM
Many departments charge for Car fires, Haz mat and accidents as the many times people receiving the services are non residents just like ambulance calls. Marvin you really should think before you post of things you have no knolwlege
#2 by Jim on August 17, 2015 - 4:55 PM
Robert,
While I may disagree with Marvin, it is important to listen to the people that pay the salaries of the first responders. They may not know anything about the fire service or how it works. It is our job to educate those people in a positive manner rather than basically telling them to shut up.
#3 by mike on August 17, 2015 - 6:09 PM
I think they are going to charge what the insurance covers. Most auto insurance have reimbursement for things like auto fires, and if it is the case of s DUI accident departments can bill the person charged with DUI for services. Same as spiller pays for hazmat
#4 by Michael M on August 17, 2015 - 11:02 AM
I am guessing if the put Engine 13 back in service they would run E 13 on EMS calls and the tower would only resond on fire calls?
Off the subject, does anybody know if the new Engine 12 is in service yet?
#5 by Shane on August 17, 2015 - 12:05 AM
When they get this grant will they run TL 13 and E 13 front line? Or will the tower become a jump company?
#6 by mike on August 17, 2015 - 7:07 AM
From reading this it sounds like engine 13 would go back in service and the engine and tower would both be staffed separately.
#7 by marvin schwartz on August 16, 2015 - 9:30 PM
Mount Prospect wants to charge for answering fire calls?
Isnt that a item included in the annual budget?..sure..lets stick it the people,they either wont care or wont notice the double taxation.
Why not teach the garbage collectors how to put fires out and tyhe street department employees how to do CPR and operate the defibrilators and start IVs..That would save them a load of money.