Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
Mount Prospect’s firefighters union is speaking out about the relocation of an engine from its headquarters station at 111 Rand Road to the department’s newest station at 1415 E. Algonquin Road, which was inherited when the Elk Grove Rural Fire Protection District disbanded.
The engine had been used as the primary vehicle for fire suppression. That function has now been assigned to a tower ladder, which will have one additional firefighter/paramedic.
In 2016, the former fire chief pushed to house the engine at headquarters, then located on Northwest Highway. Now that issue has been revived on social media by Mount Prospect Firefighters International Association of Firefighters Local 4119.
The union noted that the engine is equipped for direct fire suppression, carrying over 700 gallons of water and multiple hose lines, which allows firefighters to start fighting fires immediately or during challenging wintry weather conditions. The tower carries less than 300 gallons of water and is primarily a unit put to use in rescue and aerial operations.
The union feels that the move will affect the response north of the railroad tracks.
Mount Prospect fire officials defended the move.
Fire Chief John Dolan said the engine, although not housed at headquarters, is still “manned, staffed and available to serve the entire community. Every fire gets all our apparatus, regardless where it is.”
The chief pointed out that at least 75% of calls are for emergency medical services, and that each of the four fire stations has an ambulance.
“We have four ambulances full time,” Deputy Chief Tom Wang said. “We’re one of only three towns in this area that have four full-time ambulances.”
thanks Rob
