New fire station in Wheeling (more)

New Wheeling Fire Station 42 at 173 McHenry Rd

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Wheeling Fire Station 42

thanks Bob

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This entry was posted on March 24, 2024, 11:00 AM and is filed under Fire Department News, FIre Stations. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

10 Comments

#1 by Andy on March 25, 2024 - 7:48 PM

Tyler is correct, while Des Plaines started the discussion, they ultimately weren’t approved for the move. They attempted to look several other places and haven since chosen to remain at RED Center. Des Plaines PD is moving to Cook Co Sherriffs.
#2 by Tyler Tobolt on March 25, 2024 - 2:50 PM

Des Plaines wanted to join either NWCD, AC/DC or Ducomm, but were told no by all three centers due to those dispatching centers not having enough personnel to accommodate another department on their channel. Wheeling is going to NWCD for FD & PD starting January 1st 2025.
#3 by Andy on March 25, 2024 - 1:06 PM

The plan when they join NWCD right now is Wheeling will join Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, and Mt Prospect on FD 2. Wheeling’s station numbers will become 42 (42), 43 (23), and 44 (24).
- #4 by Admin on March 25, 2024 - 1:21 PM
  
  what about Des Plaines?
#5 by Mike C on March 25, 2024 - 7:47 AM

Congratulations Wheeling!

This is definitely not over built! The station doesn’t even have drive-thru bays. There are so many towns that change over the years and get stuck leaving equipment outside because they don’t have the space to keep it inside. I’m willing to bet the station fills up!
#6 by Wayne on March 24, 2024 - 10:11 PM

It’s also nice when there’s bay space to drill in. Sometimes a hands on drill can be done inside when the weather is crappy, which happens often around here, and it’s nice having that option.
#7 by Drew Smith on March 24, 2024 - 5:03 PM

I would not agree that this is overbuilt. Three bays for two front-line pieces and some reserve apparatus isn’t overbuilding, in my opinion. It is similar to many other suburban satellite firehouses in total square footage. The bays are not drive-through.

I will not opine on what operational decisions another FD makes. That’s their business. They know what’s best for them. No one would want another chief to tell them how he thinks they should do it.

When I look back over the last 50 years and see what was built in each decade and where things are now, I can confidently say there is no way to predict need past about 10-15 years.
#8 by Chris S on March 24, 2024 - 4:50 PM

Took a look at the address on Google Maps, very small location between a creek & a ComEd substation road
#9 by michael m on March 24, 2024 - 2:48 PM

I am glad they were able to make that land work for them. It did not look like they had enough room for 3 apparatus bays. I am guessing they built the rest of the station behind the apparatus bays? Any idea when they will have a formal dedication ceremony? I am guessing the rigs will exit onto McHenry Road?
I wonder what will happen to their numbers when they switch to NWCD next year. Will they get their own talkgroup and be able to keep their station and apparatus numbers? Or will they join the Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows talkgroup and have to change the apparatus numbers at 23 and 24. Station 42 I think is ok, I do not believe there is already a station 42 in the NWCD FD system.
#10 by Mike on March 24, 2024 - 12:52 PM

All that apparatus floor space for an engine and maybe an ambulance. Why do departments overbuild all the time. I get just in case they add companies but wheeling isn’t adding any.