Archive for January 16th, 2019

Fox River and Countryside Fire Protection District news (more)

Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:

A binding referendum question on the April 2 ballot will seek a 63 percent increase in the taxes paid to the Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District. If approved the measure would put an additional $1.1 million in the district’s coffers each year to raise staffing levels and fund equipment replacements and repairs.

Voters have shot down six previous attempts by the district to raise the property tax rate in the last several years. The margin by which those measures failed has significantly narrowed since the district’s first request making officials hopeful for a more positive outcome this time around. The fire board found the March 2018 election especially promising given the fact that a proposed 60 percent increase failed by only 32 votes.

Public support and awareness grew during the November election season. With more than 9,000 people voting — at least three times larger than the district’s usual turnout — the referendum question lost by 342 votes.

If the tax hike passes, the district’s tax rate will increase from about 27 to 43 cents per $100 of taxable property value. That means the owner of a $100,000 home would pay about $56 more per year.

In recent years, the district has eliminated firefighter positions and reduced costs while continuing to operate on what officials say is insufficient funding. The board decided to hold off on discussing additional budget cuts until after the April election.

“Our message remains the same,” Fire Chief John Nixon said. “We have equipment that’s failing, radios becoming a safety issue, vehicles that are costing extra money to maintain because they’re in many cases reaching the end of life, and staffing shortfalls that have created uncomfortable situations for us where we have to run short.”

The fire district plans to ask a citizen group for help talking to residents about the upcoming referendum question. Information about the proposal likely will be sent out through social media and in newsletters.

The district covers 38 square miles of unincorporated areas in St. Charles and Campton townships, as well as Campton Hills and Wayne.

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2-Alarm fire in Elgin, 1-16-19

The Elgin FD battled a 2-Alarm house fire at 329 Park Street this morning (1/16/19). 

house fire in Elgin IL on Park Street

Michael Paige photo

house fire in Elgin IL on Park Street

Michael Paige photo

house fire in Elgin IL on Park Street

Michael Paige photo

house fire in Elgin IL on Park Street

Michael Paige photo

house fire in Elgin IL on Park Street

Michael Paige photo

house fire in Elgin IL on Park Street

Michael Paige photo

house fire in Elgin IL on Park Street

Michael Paige photo

house fire in Elgin IL on Park Street

Michael Paige photo

house fire in Elgin IL on Park Street

Michael Paige photo

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2-Alarm fire in Northbrook, 1-16-19 (more)

Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:

A fire that broke out at a home in Northbrook Wednesday morning had three families running for their lives. An off-duty firefighter was on his way to work when he spotted a home in the 2500-block of Melanie Lane fully engulfed by flames. The Northbrook Fire Department was on the scene about 8 minutes later. Helicopter footage shows fire billowing out of the home and spreading to the houses on either side of it.

The woman who owns the home where the fire started said she heard a loud pop, then saw a wall of flames and managed to escape relatively unharmed. The neighbors got out too. 

 

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2-Alarm fire in Northbrook, 1-16-19

Northbrook firefighters along with mutual aid companies responded to a reported house explosion at 2563 Melanie Lane before 6:30 Wednesday morning (1/16/19). Arriving companies found one house engulfed in flames with fire extending into the exposure buildings on both sides. A Box Alarm was requested and then a 2nd Alarm was requested bringing companies from most of Division 3 to the scene. 

house engulfed by fire at night

Tim Olk photo

The original house was totally destroyed, one exposure was virtually gutted, and companies were able to contain the fire to the other house with what appeared to be minimal interior damage. Elevated master streams were deployed by Northbrook Tower 12 and Glenview truck 14. Glenview Engine 8, Northbrook Engine 10, and Northbrook Squad 11 were all pumping.

house on fire destroyed by an explosion

Larry Shapiro photo

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