Excerpts from fireapparatusmagazine.com:
In 2022, the Aurora Fire Department saw the highest number of calls for service in its history with 21,881 calls, nearly a 14% increase over the past five years.
By 2025, the department is looking to add a new fire station, an engine company, two new medic units, and 52 staff members. Officials were already planning a new station on the northeast side but a planned move of the casino to that part of the city solidified that need.
The department’s new 10th station is planned for a site directly behind the Chicago Premium Outlets mall at Bilter Road and Nan Street. Ground is expected to be broken this summer for the project, with the station opening next year.
Station 4 will be relocated to the east of the Aurora Police Department on Indian Trail and will become the fire department’s administrative headquarters. The current station at 800 Michels Ave. is at the end of its life and can no longer fit most engines.
Station 9 will move from 2339 Diehl Road to a new location on Eola Road at a location to be determined between Liberty Street and North Aurora Road.
The department is aiming to break ground at the new sites for Station 4 and Station 9 in 2024.
They expects to see an additional 1,000 calls per year once the 169-home Del Webb 55-year-old and older community now being developed is complete on the city’s far southeast side, and plan to add an additional ambulance in 2025 at Station 12 to meet the expected increased in demand in that part of Aurora.
While hiring has remained a challenge because of a nationwide shortage of firefighters, the department plans to hire 26 people in its spring academy that ends in June and run an additional fall academy, bringing 10 to 15 additional hires. This will help move the department to its goal of 265 personnel by 2025.
thanks Rob
