Dennis McGuire, Jr. found an article discussing a possible merger of sorts between three suburban fire and police departments.
La Grange officials voiced unanimous support to pursue a program of shared services with Western Springs and LaGrange Park in the first of three presentations Sept. 26 on the concept.
The study, sponsored by the Metropolitan Mayors and Managers Caucus and funded in part by a grant, was designed to examine similarities between the three villages regarding community characteristics and public safety operations.
The three towns have very similar populations, number of square miles and financial resources. Differences lie in emergency services with LaGrange Park and Western Springs employing paid, on-call firefighters and a private paramedic service, compared to La Grange, which has full-time firefighters.
The project also identified opportunities to share public safety services and made seven recommendations in a three-phase approach, beginning with combining emergency dispatch services.
The analysis of calls for emergency services suggests the total call volumes could be met from a single dispatch center with a potential savings of three full-time and four part-time workers. Other communities may be invited to join the system in time.
Departments could also share a record and reporting system.
Fire department trucks could be shared, and police services could be combined with overlapping responsibility between the communities for the supervising shift sergeant. Eventually, policing districts within and between the communities could be consolidated into larger ones.
Read the complete article from TheDoingsWestern Springs HERE.
#1 by Mike on October 1, 2011 - 3:09 PM
This has been a common discussion among many fire districts and departments. I remember years ago when Frankfort, New Lenox, and Mokena had talked about merging.
I believe that in theory, merging agencies makes sense. There is way too much duplication of resources, such as 4 bodering communities all having Hazardous Materials Trucks that respond once or twice a year.
However, I think each and everytime the merger will develop into a power struggle and each agencies ego and pride will create significant challenges.
Best wishes to those that make it work!!
#2 by Keith on October 1, 2011 - 2:16 AM
The Worth Fire Department officially turned over operations to the North Palos Fire Protection District on January 1, 2009. This was a merger in which North Palos absorbed the Worth fire station, which became North Palos Station # 3, the fire apparatus and the personnel, all of which retained their rank and seniority. North Palos Engine Co. 823 and Ambulance 822 are former Worth apparatus. The E-One Typhoon engine, delivered black over red, was former Worth Engine 6713 and the ambulance, which was given a black roof was formerly 6702. The other former ambulance, an International / Road Rescue, was donated to IFSI and the former Worth Engine 6723, a solid red Spartan / FMC, was relettered and numbered as Reserve Engine 833. In addition to the engine and ambulance, there is a staff vehicle, TRT trailer and a John boat assigned here.
#3 by Jim on September 30, 2011 - 4:32 PM
The study was for Oak Lawn, Chicago Ridge and Alsip. I don’t think the report is out yet. Worth and North Palos were never part of it. North Palos took over Worth on a contract basis.
#4 by Dan on September 30, 2011 - 9:03 AM
Thanks Jacob. That makes sense…I was recently in the area and noticed a station that I believe said it was North Palos but the rigs color schemes did not match those of North Palos. Perhaps that was the old Worth station. We went past quite a few that day so I could be confusing myself too.
#5 by Jacob on September 29, 2011 - 10:36 PM
Dan, the only thing that came of that was that worth is now apart of the north palos fire protection district.
#6 by Jim Wilk on September 29, 2011 - 3:12 PM
Is there a link to the study?
#7 by Dan on September 29, 2011 - 12:16 PM
I remember reading a similar story about a year ago that discussed Oak Lawn talking with Alsip and either Worth or Chicago Ridge to combine resources. I suppose nothing came of that.