Archive for April 15th, 2018

Fox River & Countryside Fire/Rescue District news (more)

Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:

Fox River & Countryside officials are mulling over temporary fixes for filling the fire/rescue district’s depleting coffers after its most recent attempt to bring in more cash failed. But Chief John Nixon told the fire board Monday there’s only one sustainable solution for addressing the funding shortage: a property tax hike.

Voters last month narrowly rejected the district’s request to increase its property tax rate to 43 cents from 27 cents per $100 of equalized assessed value. The measure would have generated about $1.48 million annually to fund critical equipment replacements and repairs, as well as increased personnel.

Without that money, officials have warned that the district likely would have to cut nine part-time firefighter positions and rotate closing one of its two fire stations each month. But during a special meeting Monday, Nixon urged the fire board to keep both stations open and find other ways to tighten its belt until the November election, when he expects the district to try again for a tax hike.

Browning out one station on a rotating basis would significantly increase emergency response times for half the district at any given time. It can take up to 16 minutes for first responders firefighters to get from one station to the other side of the 38-square-mile district.

Nixon said he’d bring back suggestions for cutting costs or implementing one-time revenues, such as selling equipment, to temporarily address the funding shortfall … the district also could consider selling land that has been slated for a new fire station, though the board president said he’d prefer to keep that property as a long-term option. The fire board is expected to discuss and possibly make a decision on potential short-term solutions next Monday.

Meanwhile, a group of residents already has begun planning an education campaign to support the district if another referendum question is placed on the November ballot. Out of four attempts in recent years, the district’s most recent request for a property tax hike failed by the slimmest margin: 32 votes.

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New ambulance for Lombard (more)

New ambulance for Lombard

From the Foster Coach Sales Facebook page:

Lombard FD Ambulance 44

Foster Coach Sales photo

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Mokena Fire Department history

This from Mike Summa:

Here is the Mokena FPD Squad 1516, a 1977 Ford L/Super Vac. This unit was replaced in 2002.  Enjoy and comment.
Mike Summa
Ford L-Series Super Vac squad truck

Mokena FPD Squad 1516, a 1977 Ford L/Super Vac. Mike Dumma photo

Ford L-Series Super Vac squad truck

Mike Summa photo

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Chicago FD Snorkel 6-6-1 history (part 4)

More photos depicting the Chicago FD Snorkel 6-6-1 history

vintage Chicago fire scene with Snorkel

Steve Redick photo

vintage Chicago fire scene with Snorkel

Steve Redick photo

vintage Chicago fire scene with Snorkel

Steve Redick photo

vintage Chicago fire scene with Snorkel

Steve Redick photo

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