Archive for August 20th, 2017

Knollwood Fire Department news (more)

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

The board governing the Knollwood Fire Department has requested proposals from both Lake Forest and Libertyville to take over firefighting and ambulance services.

The city of Lake Forest plans to assemble a proposal over the next 90 days and will then submit it to the Rockland Fire Protection District Board, which oversees Knollwood Fire Department, by the end of 2017. The Rockland Fire Protection District covers the unincorporated Knollwood neighborhood as well as a portion of Lake Bluff.

The city does have a few guidelines for its proposal. They stipulate that supplying services to Knollwood can’t reduce service to Lake Forest, the deal must generate long-term savings and it must integrate full-time, paid-on-call, and volunteer firefighters.

At an Aug. 8 meeting, Mayor Terry Weppler of Libertyville said a meeting of the town’s police and fire committee would be scheduled to consider whether to submit a proposal.

Dan Rogers, one of three trustees on the Rockland Fire Protection District Board, said the request for proposals is an effort to be fiscally responsible.

“Our (property tax) levy is about $635,000 for 7/8 of a square mile for fire and ambulance service,” Rogers said. “Several months ago we got proposals from Libertyville. They came back with a preliminary offer to take over all services for $380,000.”

Karl Snoblin, also a trustee for the fire protection district, sees things differently.

“There is no immediate threat,” Snoblin said, adding that the district has had a balanced budget for the last three years. “We have to work with our neighbors but to get rid of equipment and employees doesn’t seem to be necessary.”

In April, Knollwood voters approved a referendum that would allow them to elect trustees to the district’s board. That referendum takes effect in 2019. Currently, trustees are appointed by the Lake County Board.

Snoblin would like to hold off on any decisions on outsourcing fire and ambulance services.

“I believe it is inappropriate for this board to pursue outsourcing the department,” Snoblin said. “This is a caretaker board. There is nothing driving us to do this in the 22 months. It should be for the elected board to pursue.”

Lake Forest City Manager Bob Kiely expressed a similar opinion about cultural identity during an Aug. 7 city council meeting. He pointed out that Knollwood is unincorporated and all services besides fire – including law enforcement and public works – are supplied by Lake County.

While Rogers said the process is only in the research stage of it, Ed Whitehead is concerned that if the present board approves outsourcing fire and ambulance service, that decision would be irrevocable. Whitehead served on the fire protection board from 2010 to 2016.

“Our building gets sold, all our equipment gets sold,” Whitehead said. “We don’t have a fallback position at that point.”

thanks Dan

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New squad for Northbrook (more)

From the Pierce Flickr page:

Pierce Village of Northbrook, IL 30596

Northbrook FD Engine 12

New unit for Northbrook Squad 12. Pierce composite

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North Palos Fire District history

This from Mike Summa:

This was North Palos FPD mid 60’s Mack C95.  Sorry, I have no information on this engine.  If anyone does please feel free to fill in the blanks.  Enjoy.
Mike Summa
North Palos FPD historic fire engine

This was North Palos FPD mid 60’s Mack C95. Mike Summa photo

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New tower ladder for Great Lakes

This from Ron Wolkoff:

Here is a picture of their new tower ladder found this on flickr and their great lakes Facebook page

Great lake Naval Training Center FD

From the Pierce Flickr page:

Great Lakes NTC Tower 1931

Great Lakes NTC Tower 1931. Pierce composite

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