Archive for May 13th, 2015

Highwood may supplement manning with contract personnel (more)

Excerpts from an editorial in theChicagotribune.com:

As the City of Highwood, Illinois investigates the opportunity to supplement their fire department with personnel from a private firefighting firm, they want to assure the community that safety and protection will not be compromised.

City Manager Scott Coren cites revenue and a small tax base less than a square mile in size to draw from as the biggest factors in asking private firms for proposals, stating, “Highwood must continue to keep down the cost of our current services in order to have enough money to improve upon city infrastructure such as streets and sidewalk repairs.” Mayor Charles Pecaro added, “With the uncertain financial situation in the State of Illinois, we need to operate a sustainable city, keeping in mind the high costs of pensions and workers compensation.”

The contracting of fire department personnel joins other services such as snow plowing, maintaining the grass on many streets and public parks, building reviews and inspections, payroll, financial planning, fueling services, police dispatching and more, that are filled by contractors.

“Outsourcing city-wide needs has proven highly effective in the past. We now look at the potential to deliver our fire services safely and efficiently through contractors,” says Coren. “We will control the requirements for hiring and ensure all contractual employees have the proper certifications.”

With the money saved, Highwood can begin to address immediate infrastructure needs such as the fixing of city roads and sidewalks. “We’ve already had to increase taxes to address these issues in the past,” says Coren. “Not making changes like the one we are faced with now will only result in additional tax increases. We must be efficient with our limited tax dollars.”

thanks Chris

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Rollover MVA in Mettawa – 5/11/15

This from Niko Stefani:

I happened to be right around the corner when an MVA came in on St. Mary’s Rd and Rt. 176 right in front of the Old School Forest Preserve (5/11/15). I only had my phone on me so sorry for poor quality. Companies on the scene from Libertyville included:

Ambulance 463
Ambulance 461
Quint Co. 462
Engine Co. 461
Battalion 46
Per the arriving fire units, the victim was not injured but was entrapped in the vehicle. Also we see Libertyville with a new ambulance for Station 1.
Accident scene

Niko Stefani photo

Accident scene

Niko Stefani photo

ambulance

Niko Stefani photo

Accident scene

Niko Stefani photo

ambulance

Niko Stefani photo

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Chicago FD Audio from 5/12/15

This from Drew Gresik:

Somewhat busy afternoon yesterday (5/12/15) in the City with a couple decent jobs at 2855 S Harding, 11830 S Normal, and 5942 S Peoria back-to-back-to-back. I threw together a quick mix of some of the audio into one file. Enjoy.
Drew Gresik

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