Excerpts from nbcchicago.com:
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the proposed police and fire training facility that is opposed by activists is likely to cost more than previously estimated. She says as it’s currently designed, the projected $95 million facility is unlikely to meet the needs of
first respondersthe police department and fire department, particularly firefighters. She doesn’t know what the ultimate costs will be, but she wants it to be the best-in-class training facility for first responders anywhere in the country.Opponents contend the proposed facility is a waste of money that should go toward education, job training, and mental health services.
#1 by DENNIS on July 1, 2019 - 9:33 PM
I don’t know why everyone keeps calling Engine 115’s new house a super house? Its a regular size firehouse just the same as Engine 84’s, and 63’s. I bet money that Truck 24 doesn’t move, 115 will be the engine, 75 will go out of service and become a truck and there will be 2 ambulances plus district HQ.
#2 by Bill Post on July 1, 2019 - 2:45 PM
I believe the point here is that the city’s plans for a combined fire and police training campus aren’t adequate. According to the article the fire department would be short changed, so the new mayor wants to enlarge it. It appears that the new administration is willing to spend more than the proposed $95 million dollars to make it one of the best training centers in the country.
It is good if the mayor is willing to see that the CFD and the CPD get a well planned training center. Conversely the city is building a super fire station at 1024 W 119th Street which was proposed by the Emanuel administration. I believe it to be a case of overbuilding a facility where the money could be more wisely spent on two or three smaller facilities. The fire department’s own Research and Planning Department found these were needed on the far south side.
A city press release stated that three ambulances would be in the new station. It would be smarter to spread those ambulances out and not have them in one station. For example, it would be wise to move Ambulance 5 in with Engine 62 and Truck 27’s house near 114th and Michigan instead of doubling it up with Ambulance 76 at 119th and Morgan. Ambulance 5 was with Engine 62 and Truck 27 from April 1949 through March 1966 until they moved to Engine 75’s current house. Having the ambulance at Engine 62 would be a more central location in the 22nd Battalion and in the Roseland Community.