Excerpts from Fox32chicago.com:
Leaders in Clarendon Hills are looking to share a fire department ladder truck with another community, saving a big chunk of change.
One village official says that public safety comes first, but if they can get by with sharing a ladder truck with a neighboring community, then why not save that money?
Some community members are upset at the thought that the Clarendon Hills Fire Department wouldn’t have its own ladder truck, fearing response times would be longer. They have organized, and there is a Change.org petition as well as yard signs being put up.
The issue at hand is the current ladder truck is getting old and needs to be replaced. The cost is well over a million dollars. The village manager says they are still researching their options to replace it or rely on another department when they need the ladder truck.
There is a village board meeting Monday night. The ladder is not on the agenda, but they are expecting some public comment. The village manager says they have a lot more to research before they make a decision.
thanks Scott
#1 by Fred M on September 28, 2021 - 10:58 AM
Blasphemy Tom Foley !!!! Your probably right, the time has come given
a number of factors, but don’t say that on the street in CH. !!! Residents are passionate about the FD….
#2 by Tom Foley on September 27, 2021 - 9:52 PM
Unpopular opinion… merge Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale into a district. A district of 6.5 square miles and under 30,000 people would likely never staff two aerials or even keep a spare.
They could probably get away with staffing an engine company and truck company along with two ambos. Ideal? Probably not. However, a few other districts that are larger in population and size run on just that. (Not that they are running optimally, either.)
I think the time has run its course for these smaller departments. Between the two, I think they have 2 aerials, 3 engines, a squad, and 3 ambos. Staffing for half of that.
#3 by Paul Schlichting on September 24, 2021 - 12:59 AM
Oak Park and River Forest tried this about 20 years ago and it did not go well.. Quartered and manned by Oak Park is was there truck that went to River Forest once in a while.. River Forest finally got tired of pay there “share” for a rig that they did nor see much of.. The rig was built by the politicians it had HME chassis, central states body, a Darley pump and and the tower was a RK engineering
#4 by Jim on September 22, 2021 - 8:12 PM
Does anyone know the daily staffing of Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale? Meaning what does each department staff daily in the way of apparatus and how many people per apparatus.
#5 by Hawks66 on September 22, 2021 - 4:08 PM
Quints have been helping the cause to lower manpower for quite some time now. When a department needs a truck to the scene of a fire it’s not just because they need a truck but they need the manpower as well. The whole term of sharing only eliminates the cause for better Manning while robbing another towns taxpayers of money and services at the same time.
#6 by Ted on September 22, 2021 - 11:19 AM
I’ll say this again, if you look at the history of this department over the last 50 years, you will see the efficiencies made, and the long term planning that was put in place to support this decision, Clarendon Hills was a 2 station department , 3 engines, 1 rescue, 1ambulance. Over this said time period they consolidated into 1 station. 1 Aerial, 1, engine, 1 rescue, and 1 ambulance. This was a planned expenditure, the department support their community with staffing and a response, this is a case of one person City Manager, thinking he is better then the Chief, the Chief has been there for over 30 years, and has done the planning, and budgeting….I support Chief Leahy in keeping his plan in place and replacing his apparatus according to his long term planning
#7 by Evan Davis on September 22, 2021 - 10:58 AM
Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale combined is only 6.5 square miles with Hinsdale’s fire station and Clarendon Hills fire station being 2 miles apart. I’ll compare these demographics to Elmhurst which is 10.3 square miles and with EFDs stations 1 and 2 being 2 miles apart as well. It doesn’t take long for Hinsdale Truck 84 or Clarendon Hills Truck 86 to run into each others towns for the auto aid, unless they’re delayed by a train I’m sure. So I really don’t see response times of a potential shared truck company a big issue for the two towns. I agree with the Quint idea, but it would have to be similar to the current truck 86 or truck 84. Some of the homes in Hinsdale sit far off from the roads that a 75 ft. ladder wouldn’t be effective.
#8 by Michael m on September 22, 2021 - 10:10 AM
I am surprised the current Truck 86 fits inside the station. From looking at the picture of the station it looks like it would be too tall. I guess looks can be deceiving.
#9 by Michael m on September 22, 2021 - 9:19 AM
Agreed, this situation is the best situation for a Quint 86 and remove engine 86 from the roster. Remember quints are jacks of all trades but masters of none.
The other option is to see if there is a stock unit available that would fit into the station.
#10 by Brian on September 21, 2021 - 10:15 PM
a previous article talked about them buying a new engine and aerial. With the size of their district, this screams for a quint. Just my two cents that aren’t worth anything but…….
#11 by Fred M on September 21, 2021 - 9:04 PM
Many interesting points outlined by contributors. I do find the argument of (in the original article) “lower property values” laughable, especially in that area. Chief Leahy talked of winter roof operations, but both Hinsdale’s & Clarendon Hills newer homes roof pitch is treacherous at anytime. I’m sure Chief Leahy and staff have all the facts and figures for a new rig to fit the Villages future needs. They have always been prepared for these types of battles. While the number of actual fires may be low, this department has always trained and equipped it’s firefighters to be ready for the worst case scenarios.
#12 by Hawks66 on September 21, 2021 - 6:07 PM
This needs to be fought every step of the way. I don’t care how many calls they run. The fact of “sharing” a Truck Co is ridiculous. They can always buy used if they have to. The town and department had 20 years to plan for this and figure it out. Cost cutting measures like this become contagious when allowed to happen.
#13 by Mabas Guy on September 21, 2021 - 5:42 PM
Once the new Ladder 122 arrives there will be no more Engine and Ladder Jump company at Tri state Station 122
#14 by The DH on September 21, 2021 - 5:19 PM
BMurphy, to counter your points. They are good. But you must consider the availability of those aerials. Downers, Westmont, Oak Brook (low staffing) and Tri-State (jump between eng and truck) are all busy departments. Western Springs is POC. Hinsdale would be a safe bet to rely on for auto aid, but they already do that, and Hinsdale’s truck is OOS frequently. Clarendon Hills runs the ladder first out, and then POCs fill in with the rest, and the POCs/callbacks definitely fill out the other rigs, reliably.
Very few structures over 3 story, true, but there are some pretty large 2 story homes all throughout.
There is the other point of when you rely on mutual aid to fit your needs, is it really mutual?
And, according to the Change.org petition, the money is already there.
#15 by Tim on September 21, 2021 - 5:04 PM
Good points Murph.
#16 by BMurphy on September 21, 2021 - 11:44 AM
Department averages about 3.5 calls per day. Estimate there are 4 to 5 personnel on-duty (possibly less). ISO ppc of 3 (superior). Very few working fires. Within a 6-mile circle from center of village there are approximately 8 ladder truck companies (5 to 10 min response times). Very few structures over 3 stories and not many significant building setbacks. Residential fire sprinkler systems required in all new homes (possibly rehabs too) since about 2015.
Well-trained staff at adequate staffing levels put out the fires and make the rescues. Just some facts to consider.
#17 by Mike hellmuth on September 21, 2021 - 10:18 AM
This is just another good example of local governments coming up with bad decisions that effect local citizens………
#18 by Michael m on September 21, 2021 - 10:06 AM
This is Glenview all over again, only now we are talking about Truck 86 instead of Engine 13. Same thing with Truck 107 in Bensenville. I don’t know what changed Bensenvilles mind but something had to. I am glad the community is letting their voices be heard! They are the ones who would be affected by the decision regarding Truck 86.
I would like to know how many miles truck 86 has on it. My guess even though it is almost 20 years old, it serves a small town. Unless they have an insane amount of calls at it is running 12 to 15 times a day, it most likely does not have many miles on it.
Maybe the community could find a way to raise some of the money for a new Truck 86. Truck 84 would take too long to come from Hinsdale. Tower 102 from Downers even longer.
#19 by harry on September 21, 2021 - 9:41 AM
there ladder and engine are both 2002 that is not old for a tiny town waste of money to get a new truck