The Tri-State FPD assumed responsibility yesterday for the Village of Willow Springs. A reader submitted the following:
Looks like Tri-State packed up Engine 541 and relocated to Willow Springs. A good source told me they packed up everything in a truck this afternoon. I think they forgot to tell the residents. I hope no one drives by looking for help. Love your website keep up the good work.
#1 by Joe Public on October 3, 2013 - 9:53 PM
Other comments here. Wish they could out them together.
#2 by Jim Vejvoda on October 3, 2013 - 8:33 PM
That was the old Clarendon Heights FPD Station, I thought part of the agreement was it was to remain opened. It’s a long haul from Station 2 in Darien. How can you assume service for one town and shut down a Station in order to do it. And we wonder why the Taxpayers are not fond of us.
#3 by Tom Foley on October 3, 2013 - 5:27 PM
@Martin Village budgets are a funny thing sometimes. Just because they bought 10 squad cars doesn’t necessarily mean they are in great financial shape. It simply means they budgeted for the expense.
There are a lot of unsold condos, the contracted out public works, and now the fire department. This doesn’t sound like a town that has cash available.
Granted, these decisions to contract out aren’t necessarily foolish. The Des Plaines Valley News had an article talking about how Justice and Alsip gave up their fire departments, too.
I’m not convinced the arrangement with WS and Tri-State is really a good marriage. They closed station 4 and simply moved a piece of equipment. And, now have a larger coverage area. I’m not aware of any new hires for the expanded area, either. And, no additional apparatus if they won’t be using WSFD equipment.
#4 by DMc77 on October 3, 2013 - 10:02 AM
Either way you slice it, a firehouse was closed and put out of service. The letter reads the added revenue from WS will help offset future costs. TS closed one of their own stations only to move the equip/staff to another. Now they have a larger service area and another building to take care of. Either way, I can’t see how the added “revenue” from WS will add to the TS coffers. If the existing money was so great at WS to begin with, why would WS give it all away to TS? And to the folks who used to live right near TS #4 I would be pretty upset at the closure. But given what has gone on recently with TSFPD, probably no residents will complain.
#5 by bryan on October 3, 2013 - 8:14 AM
So who takes care of this side of town now? I live a block east on 63rd st and can tell you that truck ran tons of calls, usually on scene first and waiting for the other equipment to cross town. Westmont/clarondon hills could show before the other equipment depending where the call was at somtimes.
#6 by Martin Nowak on October 2, 2013 - 11:51 PM
Tom, they bought like 10 new police cars a few months ago.
#7 by Tom Foley on October 2, 2013 - 10:20 PM
Pure speculation, but since the WS FD equipment is owned by the village, I bet they sold it or are selling it.
From the sounds of it, the town could use the money.
#8 by Tom on October 2, 2013 - 9:45 PM
Where did Willow Springs apparatus go? Maybe they dumped their equipment in the canals, like the good ole’ days of willow springs pd dumping cars in the canals, some with bodies in the trunk.
#9 by Robert on October 2, 2013 - 7:59 PM
Yeah theres a moving truck outside of the former willow springs station. Willows pickup truck and suv sit outside.
#10 by The DH on October 2, 2013 - 6:12 PM
Mike, you should brush up on your reading skills…the post clearly says that Station 4 was packed up (rig and personnel) and moved to the Willow Springs station. No one lost there jobs other than the pat-time personnel at Willow…which is bad enough!
#11 by Fu on October 2, 2013 - 5:24 PM
Residents were not notified. TSFPD’s promise to keep that station open after they took it over has been broken! Residents wake up!
#12 by Mike on October 2, 2013 - 3:50 PM
They closed a station !! thats nine union jobs. Why aren’t the firefighter out in front of station 4 with signs informing the taxpayer that their station is out of service? They are either lazy or scared of the Shelly and Jill .
#13 by Brian on October 2, 2013 - 2:00 PM
What happened to the Willow Springs Apparatus?
#14 by Markus on October 2, 2013 - 11:35 AM
I heard that station 4 was closing and that Tri-state wanted to add a third ambulance with contract medics on it but the union didn’t want that as it would take away union jobs, but the union members do not want to man an ambulance either. I feel sorry for those medics there are not treated that well and now they have to run even more calls.
#15 by Mike on October 2, 2013 - 9:38 AM
“No belted” must be part of the government shut down.
#16 by J on October 2, 2013 - 8:01 AM
I drove past Willow Springs FD Yesterday. Engine 541 was in the bay. There was also a lot of chiefs buggies along with a box truck unloading stuff.