Found on Facebook:
Congratulations to the Village of McCook and the McCook Fire Department on the purchase of a new Fouts Four (first out utility response). Thank you for your trust in Fouts and in Legacy. This rig will be in Illinois next week!
Fouts Brothers photo
thanks Danny and Dennis
#1 by Tom on April 23, 2021 - 6:55 PM
Rob, they were full timers, 9 in total I believe. They were laid off after the referendum failed. They asked for additional manpower and that is why they were laid off.
The town is small 300 people. About 4 or 5 Square miles in size with heavy industries and hazardous materials.
The former mayor is going to prison now. About maybe 7 years ago it was reported that About 28 out of 50 town employees were friends or relatives of the mayor.
Summit has been trying to pay Bedford Park to cover them for years. Bedford won’t do it and the Summit fd union has always fought it.
Tom Foley- a Summit,Lyons, McCook district makes sense, maybe even with Forest View, Stickey & Central Stickey.
A district covering that corridor with I-55, numerous rail, manufacturing and hazardous materials could use a fully staffed truck and squad.
#2 by Tom Foley on April 23, 2021 - 2:05 PM
I thought of Bedford Park, but I don’t believe they are a district… so that might complicate things a bit from a taxing body perspective. Though, I agree that Bedford Park makes sense at the high level. Pleasantview, too, especially given they are the same division.
#3 by Rob on April 22, 2021 - 5:02 PM
I know a few years back the Village of McCook went for referendum to have Pleasantview absorb them into the district but the voters said no. They laid off the part timers and hired Kurtz as the contractor. Since then the McCook got rid of Kurtz last year and now they have PSI and I believe the manning is 3 per shift.
They also got rid of the Freightliner/Hackney squad which was for sale on the command fire website not long ago.
#4 by Martin on April 22, 2021 - 4:41 PM
Summit is MABAS 21, if they were absorbed it would be into Bedford Park most likely.
#5 by Tom Foley on April 22, 2021 - 2:37 PM
I really think this department should be absorbed into a district. Pleasantview could make sense.
Maybe even a newly created McCook, Lyons, Summit, Forestview, Stickney district.
#6 by bill on April 22, 2021 - 9:34 AM
Is this replacing the engine that was sold or are they buying a new engine as well?
#7 by harry on April 20, 2021 - 9:32 PM
looks like it should work well for them they are a small dept and i am sure the call volume is likely really low