Excerpts from the desplainesvalleynews.com:
Summit is considering consolidating its fire and emergency services with the Village of Bedford Park, a move that village officials said would improve service and save taxpayers up to $200,000 per year while maintaining the same level of service.
The move is scheduled to be discussed at the Summit Village Board meeting on Monday, said Mayor Sergio Rodriguez. It will take place at 7 p.m. at the village board meeting room at the Summit Police Department at 5810 S. Archer Road.
Rodriguez praised the 40 part-time firefighters who work for the Summit Fire Department, but he said the cost of maintaining the aging fleet of emergency response vehicles and fire trucks was high. He said they are facing a major equipment expense of more than $740,000 to purchase a new truck, firefighting gear and equipment including air packs.
“Our fire engines are approximately 19 to 29 years old and the maintenance costs for these engines total around $50,000 a year. While facing these difficult decisions one must consider balancing consolidation against the oppressive taxation required to maintain the services in our community, especially when we expect fire and emergency response to continue at the highest level of service,” he said. “The cost of new equipment, a fire truck, and ambulance would be the responsibility of Bedford Park. These savings would be used to address the village’s aging infrastructure, encourage economic development and bolster the village’s cash reserves”.
Rodriguez added that government consolidation has proved effective in dozens of communities facing mounting costs but has resulted in improved and enhanced services. The overall cost savings would be $200,000 the first year in personnel and operational costs.
Willow Springs in the fall of 2013 disbanded its part-time fire department and joined the Tri-State Fire Protection District, which immediately took over the Willow Springs Fire Station. Justice did something similar a few years ago when it joined the Roberts Park Fire Protection District.
“Residents will not see one difference in the emergency response to fire calls and emergencies,” Rodriguez said. “In fact, I expect that consolidating will not only save money for taxpayers, but maintain the level of service that the residents have come to expect.”
Rodriguez said the Bedford Fire Department has a fire rating of 2 compared to the Summit Fire Department’s rating of 6. The lower the rating the better.
He said the village had done its part in the past several years to cut costs by going to a part-time chief that saved more than $100,000 annually, but even with that the cost of running the department has continue to increase.
“The Village of Bedford Park would supply Summit with all up-to-date fire equipment, fire engines and highly trained personnel at a substantial amount of savings, with no need to buy any expensive vehicles or equipment.
“There would still be full-time paramedics housed at all times at the Summit Fire Station, and they will have the full support of the Bedford Park Fire Department. This combining of resources will also benefit Bedford Park, as they will be adding an additional ambulance to the fleet and would be available to serve their community as well.”
Rodriguez said combining fire services would have minimal effect on the majority of the firefighters who have other full-time jobs.
Bedford Park said its fire department would hire six new firefighter/paramedics if the deal was approved.
The Bedford Park Fire Station closest to Summit is at Roberts Road and Archer Avenue.
thanks Martin
