Archive for January 10th, 2019

West Dundee Fire Department & East Dundee and Countryside Fire Protection District news (more)

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

West Dundee is forging ahead with efforts to consolidate local fire departments. Trustees voted 4-1 to continue discussing a possible intergovernmental agreement with the Rutland-Dundee Fire Protection District that would have both departments working under one management team.

Monday’s discussion follows on the heels of the East Dundee and Countryside Fire Protection District’s decision to terminate an intergovernmental agreement with West Dundee that was approved in 2016 and had West Dundee Fire Chief Randy Freise taking the helm of both departments which began Jan. 1, 2017.

The agreement called for the cost of the chief position to be shared equally by each village. In terms of hierarchy, the East Dundee Fire Protection District’s deputy chief began reporting to Freise, and Freise reported to both the West Dundee village manager and the East Dundee Fire District board. West Dundee officials had hoped the two agencies could then work with Rutland-Dundee in coordinating joint fire management services.

But citing budget concerns, the East Dundee and Countryside Fire Protection District board voted in September to give 90 days notice of its intent to opt out of the agreement.

The proposed structure for the new joint fire management services concept would include utilizing the existing management staffs of the two departments, as well as the creation of a three-member board, with one member from Rutland-Dundee, one from West Dundee, and one to be agreed upon by the respective elected officials of both organizations, to serve as an oversight committee.

The chief and deputy chief would report directly to the board in regards to operations and day-to-day management issues, and the individual board members would report back to their respective full boards. West Dundee’s village manager would also serve as an ex-officio member to aid the fire staff in its day-to-day responsibilities.

The discussion does not exclude Carpentersville, which has been part of the effort in recent years to share resources and standardize operations. Carpentersville has expressed its desire to further evaluate the concept and leaders from both villages plan to meet in the coming weeks to discuss it.

Several West Dundee board members expressed their support for moving the concept forward for discussion.

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Phoenix Fire Department history

This from Mike Summa for #TBT:

For TBT-The Phoenix Fire Dept.’s E1706, a 1985 Kenworth/FMC 1000/750.
Mike Summa
FMC Omega pumper

Phoenix Engine 1706 – 1985 Kenworth/FMC Omega 1000/750.
Mike Summa photo

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New Chicago Fire Department replica model

From Fire Replicas

Fire Replicas Model Oshkosh 8x8 ARFF

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Springfield Fire Department news

Excerpts from the statejournalregister.com:

Springfield aldermen are weighing whether to spend $1.2 million to buy two new fire engines before the next budget year starts in March so the city can get a reduced price. The two engines, and the refurbishment of a third engine for about $227,500, were included in a proposal for the budget that begins March 1. However, Pierce, who sells the engines the city uses will increase the price of the new rigs and the refurbishment after Jan. 31.

By putting the purchase on a fast track, the city can save $73,000, Fire Chief Allen Reyne said. Much of the fire department’s spare fleet is more than 20 years old. The last Springfield engine was purchased four years ago.

The mayor proposed $4.3 million worth of equipment upgrades across the fire, police, and public works departments, all of which would be funded through short-term loans. To pay for the engines up front, the city would float a loan from its general revenue fund until the new budget is approved. Most of the aldermen expressed support for buying the engines early.

Aldermen also forwarded ordinances for final approval to purchase two fire department staff vehicles for a total of $74,000. The money was initially budgeted last year to buy a cardiac monitor for firefighters to use on medical calls. However, Reyne said the department found out the monitor it wanted to buy could not be taken in for repairs at HSHS St. John’s Hospital.

While the department worked on finding a new type of cardiac monitor, the chief proposed switching the funding to staff vehicles, which are similar to what the Springfield police use.  In years past, many of the fire department’s staff vehicles have been sold. The newest vehicle on hand is a 2007 Ford Taurus.

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