From lrfd.org:
The Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District (LRFD) is asking residents to vote on a $25 million bond referendum to construct an strategically located fire station at 3750 Deerfield Road. This critical project will improve response times across the entire District, enhance firefighter safety and improve efficiency without reducing staff levels. The new station aims to increase the number of arrivals at emergency scenes within 4 minutes – the current National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) standard – improving safety for both the public and firefighters.
We value the opportunity to collaborate with our community for everyone’s safety and well-being. By listening to residents, understanding community needs and strategically positioning resources, we will respond more quickly and effectively, protecting lives and property.
Learn more below about how this investment will benefit our community and help ensure the highest level of emergency services.
Residents to Decide on Critical Upgrades to Emergency Services New station to enhance emergency response times and meet future demands. Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, IL
Residents in the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District (LRFD) will soon decide on a $25 million referendum to strengthen local emergency services. If approved, the funding will support the construction of a modern fire station designed to improve response times, enhance firefighter safety and meet the growing needs of the District’s 19,233 residents. The referendum question will appear on the April 1, 2025, consolidated election ballot.
The LRFD currently operates three fire stations, located on Woodlands Parkway in Vernon Hills, Schelter Road in Lincolnshire and Saunders Road in Riverwoods. The existing fire stations on Schelter and Saunders Roads have reached or are nearing the end of their useful lives (30 years) and would need to be completely rebuilt or remodeled to meet current codes and accommodate a diverse workforce. Additionally, they are not optimally located to best respond to emergency needs.
If approved, the referendum would fund a new, strategically located fire station at 3750 Deerfield Road, combining operations from Stations 51 and 52 (on Schelter Road in Lincolnshire and Saunders Road in Riverwoods, respectively). Sta?ing levels will remain the same. A recent study conducted by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association (IFCA) highlighted the District’s need for an updated and optimally located station to address increased call volumes and evolving community needs. Emergency call volumes to the LRFD rose 23% from 2020 to 2024, underscoring the importance of modernizing the District’s infrastructure.
After reviewing studies and planning for five years, LRFD partnered with Riverwoods and Lake County, Illinois, to purchase land at 3750 Deerfield Road for the new fire station.
A multi-media presentation can be found HERE
thanks Dan
#1 by Bill Post on March 3, 2025 - 11:52 PM
Mabas 21 when it comes to the 3 station scenario you are spot on and that is exactly what I was thinking.
Did you know that the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association did a very similar study about 3 years ago and the study did recommend a new Station to replace the current Station 52 at Deerfield Road east of Milwaukee which is where they want to build the new station so this proposed new Station has been on their wish list for a while now and it is in place where a new station is needed given the way that Lincolnshire/Riverwoods fire protection district is currently laid out.
The study that was done 3 years ago also looked at the entire Fire Protection District and did recommend that the other 2 fire stations be relocated as well, (especially Station 51) in order to adequately cover the entire district and not just the West end of the District near Milwaukee Avenue.
In that study it was recommended that Station 51 be relocated about a mile and a half, east of where they are currently at to somewhere around Riverwoods avenue not far from Duffy Lane.
If you read the current article very carefully you will find that it states the new proposed 2 fire station configuration will cover 46% of the entire district as opposed to 36% of the entire district under the “current” 3 station configuration so they are cleverly trying to say that 2 stations better cover the district than 3 Stations.
That is just a “Smoke Screen” however (pun intended) as 3 Stations can cover the entire fire district better than 2 Stations can if they are properly located. While 46% is better than 36% what they really mean is that only 46% of the entire district is within a 4 minute drive time and that 54% of the district is over a 4 minute drive time from the nearest fire station which is very poor.
Either way you look at it much of the fire protection district is inadequately covered. You want to have at least 75% (preferably much more) of the district to be adequately covered which means to be within a 4 minute or less drive time from the nearest fire station.
So the 3 fire station configuration in the study of few years ago does better cover the district once the stations are properly relocated.
The study that was done 3 years ago was left on the Lincolnshire Riverwoods fire protection district site for only a few months and then it was taken off it as if they didn’t want anyone to know about it. While most of the “hot spots” are near the west end of the district that is no reason that the east end of the district should be inadequately covered. In the current report on line they even admit that the current fire station aren’t ” optimally located”. What were the Village Planners doing when they first opened the current fire stations?
According to the information that I have the Lincolnshire Riverwood fire protection district only has 36 fire fighters which would only them 12 per shift or tour and divided by 3 would only give them an average of 4 firefighters per station per shift.
I have a few good questions.
1. Is Truck (Quint)51 still in service or were they sold?
2 Is Squad 51 still the first Unit out of Station 51. Squad 51 is a Heavy Rescue with a pump and presumably some hose and water and seems to go out alot especially on automatic and mutual aid runs.
Here is the information that I have which is several years old and probably not up to date.
There were 3 Ambulances 51 at Station 51, Ambulance 52 at Station 52 and Ambulance 53 which was a Reserve Ambulance at Station 51.
Station 51 Squad 51, Ambulance 51, Truck51? Battalion 51 and Special Operations units. The Chiefs .
Station 52 Engine 52 and Ambulance 52.
Station 53 Quint 53 and Reserve Engine 53 (the HME RAT)
I don’t know if the above information is currently accurate.
Another thing that doesn’t seem to make sense is the New Truck is at Station 53 and it makes more sense to have the Truck at Station 51 as it makes more sense to have the Truck located in the center at Station 51 where it is located in between 2 Engine companies than to have it located on the far north end of the District.
Tim how many people run out of Stations 51 and 53. It seems to me that if Squad 51 goes out that Ambulance 51 would need go to out of service if they were only running with 4 people out of the station.
I know that Station 52 only runs with 4 people 2 on the Engine and 2 on the Ambulance.
I really don’t understand how Lincolnshire Riverwoods can have a Class 2 rating considering how understaffed they are and that over 50% of their district is over a 4 minute drive from the nearest Station. I am sure that they must have credit from automatic and mutual aid companies.
#2 by Mike on March 2, 2025 - 5:31 PM
They would be better off using that 25 million dollars to increase staffing. 25 million would get them 3 man fire companies and 2 man ambulances with no jump companies for almost 20 years
#3 by Tim on March 2, 2025 - 11:03 AM
I went to their website and reviewed their justification for the new station. Unfortunately, they are not explaining to the residents what they will be getting for the requested referendum. The referendum is for $25 Million but the total project cost shows $32,034 Million. What is the cost for updating existing stations versus consolidating to two stations? What will the new station look like, square footage (cost)? Where are the drawings or pictures? What is the taxpayer buying? Have any Grants already been secured or applied for? How is the Bond issue being structured? The district needs to be reasonable and show the right balance to the residents. Consolidating down to two stations and maintaining their manpower will finally put three firefighters on their engines versus the two they have had for several years. That is a big plus for firefighters and residents’ safety. The tax impact is for 2025 property values. Over 20 years, property values have and will historically go up, thus the annual amount paid by property owners will go up. I live in the district, and I like my fire department. They provide professional services in the area they serve. I’ve used their services and was very satisfied. I want them to succeed. But they need to show the right balance and provide more information to substantiate this request, not just minutes matter.
#4 by Michael m on March 2, 2025 - 10:30 AM
I am guessing this station would be call what? Station 51 or 52? Would 53 become whatever this station is not. I am guessing it would have to be at least a 4 bay if not a 5 bay station. Is this site in a more centralized location than the current 51 and 52?
How many firefighters would be on duty at this station? I am guessing 5 from 51 and 5 from 52 plus a BC? This station would need to be able to hold 11-12 firefighters.
#5 by MABAS 21 on March 2, 2025 - 10:14 AM
A few things both the Command Staff and Union should highly consider.
1) 30 years old for a fire station is NOT that old. The existing stations can be remodeled for current standards compliance; saving millions of taxpayers hard earned dollars.
Additions can be built on to an existing fire station to provide specific decon and gear storage areas and a larger fitness room to free up space for dorm style bunk rooms and additional bathrooms.
2) To keep up with the demand of current call volume along with the predicted increase in call volume for the entire district, it would be most logical and advantageous to continue operating with a three station model. I disagree with the I-Chiefs study regarding the consolidation of stations.
Proceed with the construction of a brand new Station 52 at the proposed location on Deerfield Rd. Having 3 stations allows for better geographical coverage during multiple call situations. Things such as heavy traffic, extreme weather conditions and road construction all contribute to delays in response times and are never factored into consideration.
3) Keep in mind when a department or district closes stations and/or consolidates stations, it opens the door to the elimination of staffed suppression companies. History of the fire service will repeat itself. When there is another financial downturn or general budget shortcomings, the bean counters will become desperate and will take radical measures. Don’t think for one minute that they will not consider shutting down the second suppression apparatus at a double company house.
#6 by Mike on March 1, 2025 - 3:23 PM
So if they’re gonna combine 51 and 52 what is the staffing and apparatus placement going to be?