This from Tony Carlini:
Here is a preliminary print of Glen Ellyn’s new heavy rescue squad – Spartan Metro Star MFD 5” raised roof with a MARION BODY WORKS 15’ custom rescue body, 6-bottle air cascade system and fill station, 2 electric reels, generator, light tower, and coffin compartments. Delivery Slated for summer 2023.
click to download
#1 by The DH on July 8, 2022 - 7:11 PM
Mike – Re-read what I said, it’s not just what I have heard. I have personal experience from running calls with them. Yes, the alliance is the alliance…they have their issues, like every department. However, from what I have heard, and what I have experienced, it is deeper than what your knowledge from your opinions shows. Again I ask, are you on the job in the area or on Glen Ellyn? I am on the job in a town nearby who runs calls in Glen Ellyn occasionally…
#2 by Danny on July 8, 2022 - 5:55 PM
Harry your comment on vol. Fire depts Is the dumbest thing I’ve read. Most of the country the fire dept serving the public is all or some volunteers. I’ve lived in an area with all volunteer fire service and never had any issue personally or seen or heard of any issues where I have been. Are there issues? Of course nothing is perfect, but alot ofnthe vol fire departments down by me run on show string budgets and still run rigs from the 1960 frontline cause it’s all they can afford. Some departments down here also run as much or more then Glen ellyn and cover an area 3-5x larger as well
#3 by Mike on July 8, 2022 - 3:45 PM
DH-My opinion only, it’s interesting how much scrutiny Glen Ellyn gets over every aspect of their organization vs. the scrutiny that surrounding communities face (particularly the Alliance communities). What sets it apart from other surrounding departments? They are volunteer, which makes them different.
If this post was about a squad purchase for literally any other community, there would be a little discussion about staffing, response, crabby would have called it a sharp looking rig and that would have been about it.
Again, my opinion only, the alliance chiefs wanted Glen Ellyn to operate exactly like them, which just isn’t going to happen. Instead of reaching out and trying to find a compromise they slammed the door shut. Again, my opinion, a strong leader would have found a way to work with those who are different from you, they chose not to. (For what it’s worth, I believe other career departments have struggled with the Alliance Departments–Mabas Division 70 anyone?).
They face a constant barrage of criticism on social media from career firefighters (not trying to make this a career vs. volunteer thing, but its true) over every aspect of their operation in ways other departments do not come close to facing. Some of it rising to harassment, not just online, but in real life, on calls and in the public. (Imagine if someone showed up on the scene of a call, got nose to nose with you and started calling you names?) These folks are volunteers, working hard, training hard and finding a way to give back. They don’t deserve it.
At the end of the day, despite what you may hear, Glen Ellyn runs a safe and efficient fire department. I am sure it is not perfect, but no department is. I would encourage you to learn more about the organization and its members and perhaps you may end up with the same opinion, but at least we can all have a conversation.
#4 by The DH on July 8, 2022 - 2:42 PM
Mike – I can only go off of what I hear and have seen about Glen Ellyn. I work in a department near there. And what you said about how a Glen Ellyn fire runs (not mindlessly cutting holes and taking all the windows, etc) seems to be the opposite in my opinion. Even going over there mutual aid for an EMS call seems to be a mess. Are you a volunteer there or a day-time engine staffer? I doubt that (nearly) every alliance chief would put their reputation on the line and sign a letter full of lies stating why they won’t respond with there department unless absolutely necessary…or why most departments have buried them in their running order. It’s not just a paid vs volunteer debate.
#5 by cmk420 on July 8, 2022 - 10:34 AM
Harry–Maybe there is a reason why Glen Ellyn has been volunteer for over 100 years! Why don’t you go an suggest that “full-time” piece to them & see what they say. And, if you looked at some of the comments in this post, you would see that their ambulances are staffed 24/7 by contracted paramedics, and they have an engine duty crew during the day, which I believe are paid. So, they are “hybrid” volunteer/part-time. Maybe, just maybe, they are able to justify having newer vehicles. There are, obviously, inner workings that we (as outsiders) don’t know about, so let’s just be happy that a department is taking care of their fleet by upgrading a rig that has been around for many, many years.
#6 by harry on July 8, 2022 - 8:47 AM
cmk420 well what i mean by vol depts is look at 10 differant depts and i bet u they have new or newer vehicles than some paid depts if you can afford to buy new vehicles all the time and are running 2000 calls a year then i think it is time to become full time i would never live i a vol district because if you have an emergency you will be waiting forever the point is gefd should be full time
#7 by Cmk420 on July 8, 2022 - 8:23 AM
Also, Harry–you are really making a bad assumption that just because they are volunteer is the reason they are getting new vehicles. What do you base that on?? I already know what kind of answer I will receive from this, but get your facts straight before you make that kind of statement please!
#8 by Mike on July 7, 2022 - 3:30 PM
Rich S-
No department is without challenges it needs to overcome, I am guessing yours included? It seems some of the comments here appear to be a little heavy handed towards the only volunteer fire department left in Northern Illinois. From what I can tell, those who are posting, have no first hand knowledge and are simply regurgitating what they’ve heard from someone else.
This is a simple post about a new apparatus purchase and people quickly went down the path that the GEFD doesn’t know what it is doing.
I look at this blog to enjoy the rig and fire scene photographs that everyone here has a passion for, I hope to continue to enjoy this blog. However, I won’t let anecdote, conjecture, rumor and biased opinions go unchallenged.
Be well and stay safe.
#9 by Rich S. on July 7, 2022 - 3:20 PM
Mike, sorry was referring to your #6 post. I type slow….
#10 by Rich S. on July 7, 2022 - 3:15 PM
Mike,
Your previous post is a bit much. Maybe it is you who have a bias to non volunteer FF’s. The “brotherhood “ is a term over used. I personally feel everyone is an equal in the field. We all have the same chance of injury and death, a membership card does nothing to change it. For me at least it’s not a ( paid, union) vs not issue. The department has had issues as far as surrounding departments have experienced. I wish all the members well and hope they are able to overcome the challenges they face as a department.
#11 by Michael on July 7, 2022 - 3:14 PM
Redaction the final comment should have read NOT directed at GE
Profound apologies.
#12 by Michael on July 7, 2022 - 3:11 PM
Just a few observations: Went to my first call in 1980 went to my last call in 2019 [probably]. Served as a pure volley, A POC, and closed out the last 25 full time. Professional members were present in all those departments and districts . None of them were perfect. Yes all of those organizations had problems and concerns with some members and some leadership.
The union brother bashing is bullshit, as is over simplifying the challenges of successfully running a POC department.
On the issue of first hand working with Glen Ellyn on calls. My personal experience’s and both fire and EMS calls ranged from not to impressed Medical calls to OMG is anybody in charge here fires.
Final thought and targeted at GE. I also love buffing and BSing about about rigs. Bottom line Better to have good crew show up in a rust bucket then a incompetent crew in the newest gold leaf wet dream arrive for a clown show.
#13 by harry on July 7, 2022 - 3:04 PM
mike l thanks for your input but as i stated b4 glen ellyn is like 8 or 9 square miles thats tiny compared to egv des plaines plainfield schaumburg arlington hts to name a few as what i would consider big is chicago rockford aurora even palm beach gardens fl they are 50 square miles so yes glen ellyn is tiny and because they are vol that is why they get new vehickloes all the time
#14 by Mike L on July 7, 2022 - 2:36 PM
Evanston is 7 square miles, Harry. Is that a “tiny town”, too? Glen Ellyn is not tiny but you’re not too bright so we’ll let that one go. As for you knowing what is best for them, keep ’em coming. Your thoughts are entertaining.
#15 by Mike on July 7, 2022 - 10:10 AM
DH-If you mean not mindlessly cutting holes in the roof, breaking every single window in a home, regardless of need, and generally doing more damage to a home than the fire, then yes, the Alliance chiefs don’t like “what happens in fires there”.
I get it, you guys don’t like volunteer firefighters. Your brotherhood only runs as deep as your AFFI membership card.
You all should seek to understand before casting judgment.
Glen Ellyn runs a safe and efficient fire department. You don’t like it because it’s different from what you know.
#16 by The DH on July 7, 2022 - 9:50 AM
I’ll echo Rich S. statements and add to it that the alliance (Wheaton, Carol Stream, etc) all told Glen Ellyn that they wouldn’t respond to them anymore because of what happens at fires there. The CAD dispatches who it wants to COQ, so they do go places still, but they really aren’t due to anyone’s fires. Just last week, Battalion 44 went auto aid to a fire there and had command despite a Glen Ellyn chief officer being first on the scene. There are reasons that most of the surrounding departments have buried them in the running order…
#17 by Mike C on July 7, 2022 - 7:05 AM
Glen Ellyn has some really good things going for them! Knowing the administration, I’m confident they are making decisions that will lead the organization in a positive direction.
#18 by Rich S. on July 6, 2022 - 10:01 PM
John Smith, no complaints here just personal opinion of some comments I’ve read over the years. I’ve been in the field for many years and learned long ago not to believe table talk. My comments here are always first hand accounts and personal experiences. I am a “career “ member, however I see no difference in my employment or someone who is selfless enough to volunteer for the same risks. I admire those who do this for less or nothing. I’m not a chest pounder and I don’t believe in those that are. As I said “ it’s a department of well intended members “ however they have had issues over the years. And being a MABAS member and going on a change is not what I’m referring to. The fact is there have been multiple incidents between this department and their neighboring departments regarding the response times.
#19 by John Smith on July 6, 2022 - 8:45 PM
Hey- Rich S! Weren’t you the same guy complaining about misinformed armchair quarterbacks a couple of months ago? I get every career firefighter’s favorite past time is smearing volunteer departments. I get this is a blog and you can say whatever you want, but facts matter. Glen Ellyn no longer covers COD because of long standing disagreement with the village and COD that led to COD completely de-annexing from the village. COD contracting with Lisle had nothing to with the fire department.
I also believe they have gone change of quarters to Wheaton within the last couple of weeks and have gone COQ to Lombard three times in the past 48 hours.
Curious if you could cite lackluster performance at any fire from first hand experience or are just listening to second hand hearsay from career fire fighters with an axe to grind?
#20 by Rich S. on July 6, 2022 - 6:04 PM
This for years has been a department who has had well intended members, however the organization is subpar at best has had issues with neighboring departments, ridiculous response times, and lack luster performance at fires. Has lost the service to College of Du Page to Lisle Woodridge , cut ties with Lombard, Wheaton, and Carol Stream due to the response issues to incidents. They have all new equipment and rigs because they are all volunteer in an extremely affluent area.
#21 by Cmk420 on July 6, 2022 - 6:22 AM
Great facts there! Sure has back does not sounds like a “tiny town” to me.
I used to live one town over from there for many years & even applied to be on their volunteer FD several times. I can tell you that they are not “tiny.”
I think they are well organized & do a good job keeping their equipment updated.
Heck, they were even featured on the old “Rescue 911” tv reality series once.
#22 by BMurphy on July 6, 2022 - 12:18 AM
Glen Ellen and GEFD quick facts:
*Serves Village of Glen Ellyn and select surrounding unincorporated areas of central DuPage County
*Over 100 year history
*Averages nearly 2,000 annual calls
*Population served approximately 29,000
*Affluent, primarily bedroom community with several major retail corridors, offices and professional services
*Very busy UPRR/Metra commuter rail (‘West Line’) runs through center of Village with high-frequency rail service to/from Chicago Loop
*Two fire stations
*Paramedic services provided by GEFD via subcontracted provider
*Daytime duty crews
*Highly active/integrated member of MABAS Division 12
*Current Insurance Services Office (ISO) Public Protection Class rating of 3
#23 by tc on July 5, 2022 - 8:47 PM
Extrication and other equipment will be designed and stored on this squad as well
#24 by Big Moe on July 5, 2022 - 7:43 PM
Seems more like an Air/Rehab unit than a heavy rescue squad. Don’t see or hear any info about hydraulics, struts, airbags, cribbing, etc. It does seem undersized for a true “Heavy Rescue” roll. I do like the Marion brand for quality of workmanship.
#25 by Michael m on July 5, 2022 - 7:25 PM
They do have 2, 2003 Spartans in reserve. They are both rescue pumpers. The Rosenbauers are normal engines.
#26 by harry on July 5, 2022 - 5:04 PM
rj thats a tiny town like 8 or 9 square miles i would have a sqd engine and then they could have ran this as one engine and a rosenbauer as the other and a rosenbauer and spartan in reserve
#27 by Michael m on July 5, 2022 - 4:45 PM
They will have two 2016 or 17 Rosenbauer engines. A 2019 Rosenbauer 100ft mid mount tower, and a 2022 or 23 Medium duty Rescue. At least they are keeping their fleet up to date.
#28 by Michael m on July 5, 2022 - 4:38 PM
This department has always had some sort of designated Squad rig. This will be Squad 61. I am surprised they did not go with Rosenbauer.
#29 by Rj on July 5, 2022 - 3:58 PM
Not familiar with Glen Ellyn Volunteer “fire department”. Do they need this? Could they have specd and equip their tower and engines better to carry this equipment without a bunch of redundancy?? Thats a tiny squad.