Excerpts from the dailynorthwestern.com:
Evanston Fire Station 4 will remain open following the approval of the city’s 2019 operating budget, ensuring service levels and response times will be maintained at the current standard. Aldermen voted 6-3 to approve the city’s 2019 operating budget at a Nov. 19 council meeting, granting the city more than $319 million for the next year. The budget, which seeks to fill a projected $7.4 million deficit, was released at the beginning of October and includes a number of expense reductions and revenue increases.
The closure of the station was included in the city’s first draft of its budget which estimated a $1.2 million cut to EFD. The cut would have eliminated nine staff positions, the proposed station closure and the resulting elimination of its fire engine. Station 4 — located at 1817 Washington St. — is in the 2nd Ward and services the southwest region of Evanston.
Now, the department will hold some vacancies open and cut parts of its community engagement programming for the next fiscal year.
During a Nov. 5 council meeting, aldermen overwhelmingly opposed the possible station closure, referring to increased response times and also pointing out the fact that many residents rely on firefighters for medical care.
EFD’s call volume has increased by 51 percent over the past 35 years, and is expected to increase by 2 percent per year moving forward.
