The Daily Herald has an updated article on the Rolling Meadows proposal for new fire stations:
The Rolling Meadows City Council voted 4-3 on April 15 to build two new fire stations in new locations, but aldermen and citizens on the losing side are making it clear they will not give up easily.
Sixth Ward Alderman John D’Astice said Tuesday he wants to discuss putting the issue of moving the city’s fire stations to voters as a referendum. He also said he wants the city council to study basing an ambulance on the city’s south side as an alternative to moving the stations.
Mayor Tom Rooney said Tuesday that both topics are suitable for discussion at future council meetings.
Supporters of the plan approved earlier this month say replacing the decrepit downtown fire station with a new one farther east, near New Wilke and Central roads, will provide faster service to the area along Algonquin Road, especially older multifamily complexes more at risk for serious fires. However, D’Astice, who represents much of the area, said he thinks most of the calls there are for ambulance service.
A second station also would be moved from 2455 Plum Grove Road, west of Route 53, to Hicks Road, between Kirchoff Road and Euclid Avenue.
The cost of the plan has been estimated as high as $10 million.
For years the city council has been strongly against the expense of building and staffing a third station, even at one point rejecting a grant that would have funded much of the construction costs.
Second Ward Alderman Len Prejna, also an opponent of moving the fire stations, said he also has received considerable correspondence and “even a knock on the door.”
thanks Dan
#1 by cmk420 on April 30, 2014 - 8:06 PM
I am guessing that they are proposing adding a third ambulance (17-?) to the mix. And yes, that would mean a third station, but maybe a small, one-bay, satellite station. If that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes. Just an educated guess on my part.
#2 by Andy on April 30, 2014 - 11:38 AM
Do these politicians realize that to “base” an ambulance means to build a station? A fire department ambulance just doesn’t sit idling in a parking lot. And is their plan to take an ambulance from 15 or 16 and move it? I am a Rolling Meadows resident and a professional firefighter and I would support a tax increase to add fire and paramedic protection to better cover the busy southern districts of Rolling Meadows whether by moving stations or building a third station.