Archive for December 23rd, 2017

Elgin Fire Department news (more)

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Elgin trustees gave unanimous approval to a $259 million budget this week that increases taxes on gasoline and hotel stays, raises ambulance fees, and cuts staffing at the fire department.

The plan doubles the hotel/motel tax to 8 percent and adds a four-cents per gallon fuel tax at Elgin gas stations. It also increases water and sewer rates by 7 and 8 percent respectively. The city sales tax will increase from 1.25 percent to 1.5 percent. The average Elgin household will see a bump in property taxes to fund police and fire pensions, as well as for bond payments.

Staffing changes at the fire department would reduce overtime by reducing the number of firefighter/paramedics on shift at any one time, saving $1 million annually, city officials said. Increasing ambulance fees — charged only to non-residents — is expected add an additional $1 million in revenue.

The biggest financial change for Elgin may be the reduction in money collected from the Grand Victoria Casino, said Council Member John Steffen. “That was 23 years of revenue we were able to invest in the community. That is coming to an end.”

When the riverboat money began rolling in in 1994, it helped Elgin pull out of an economic depression the city had experienced.

While the board also voted to end its agreement with the Elgin Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, that organization will be renegotiating its agreement with the city in coming months.

The budget had originally called for discontinuing its funding of the agency, which markets Elgin to visitors. However, after learning the city would also then lose matching state funding, the move was made to instead doubling the hotel/motel tax.

 

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Working fire in Bannockburn, 12-23-17

Deerfield-Bannockburn FPD firefighters were sent to 1944 Meadow Lane in Bannockburn Saturday morning for a house fire. The first arriving unit reported flames through the roof and requested a working fire. Within 15 minutes the bulk of the fire was extinguished and the entire roof was destroyed from what appeared to be fire in the attic. A search of the house found no occupants home at the time of the fire.

Units at the scene  included Deerfield Squad 19, Engine 20, Truck 20, and Battalion 20 plus both chief officers. Also at the scene were Northbrook Tower 12 and Battalion 11, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Squad 51, Buffalo Quint 27, Countryside Ambulance 411, Lake Forest Engine 421 422, Highland Park Battalion 33.

House fire in Bannockburn, IL 12-23-17.

Larry Shapiro photo

House fire in Bannockburn, IL 12-23-17.

Larry Shapiro photo

House fire in Bannockburn, IL 12-23-17.

Larry Shapiro photo

Deerfield-Bannockburn FPD fire trucks

Larry Shapiro photo

House fire in Bannockburn, IL 12-23-17.

Larry Shapiro photo

House fire in Bannockburn, IL 12-23-17.

Larry Shapiro photo

House fire in Bannockburn, IL 12-23-17.

Larry Shapiro photo

House fire in Bannockburn, IL 12-23-17.

Larry Shapiro photo

Deerfield-Bannockburn FPD fire trucks

Larry Shapiro photo

Deerfield-Bannockburn FPD fire truck

Larry Shapiro photo

more photos at Shapirophotography.net

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Dolton Fire Department history

This from Mike Summa:

Dolton Truck 1442, a 1981 Pierce Arrow on a 1980 Oshkosh chassis 1250/200 with a 75′ Tele-squrt.  Enjoy and comment.
Mike Summa
Dolton fire department Tele-Squrt

Mike Summa photo

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New engine for Downers Grove

Preliminary drawing of a new engine for the Downers Grove FD

Preliminary drawing of a new Ferrara engine for the Downers Grove FD

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