Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
The West Dundee and Carpentersville fire departments, along with the East Dundee Fire Protection District, have been exploring ways to enhance their services while reducing costs for taxpayers. According to West Dundee Fire Chief Randy Freise, a feasibility study was launched in January to assess potential collaborative efforts.
The findings of the study were shared with fire officials and their respective governing bodies on Monday. Kent Greene, a senior consultant from Emergency Services Consulting International based in Oregon, highlighted that the three entities already have a strong working relationship, including an automatic aid agreement. However, he suggested that more structured collaboration could lead to cost savings and improved service delivery.
The options presented include merging into one department, maintaining separate entities but combining some operations, or keeping things as they are. Greene emphasized that the current setup is efficient, with strong response times across all areas. However, a merger could streamline resource use, allowing for a shift from three fire chiefs to roles like a training officer and inspector—positions that currently don’t exist.
Even without full consolidation, the departments can work together more effectively by developing shared emergency plans, combining training programs, and collaborating on fire prevention education. East Dundee Fire Chief Steve Schmitendorf expressed strong support for some form of consolidation, saying it offers valuable insights for the future.
Freise noted that discussions about consolidation have been ongoing for years, and the $30,908 study was funded jointly by the three departments.
Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
A recent comprehensive study has shown that consolidating fire services in the area makes good sense. Now, the Carpentersville Fire Department, East Dundee Fire Protection District, and West Dundee Fire Department must see if local leaders and residents agree.
Kent Greene, senior vice president at Emergency Services Consulting International, presented the results during two meetings with fire chiefs and staff last Monday. He clarified that the study wasn’t aimed at pushing for a merger, but rather at providing data to help the departments improve their operations.
Currently, the departments rely on the QuadCom Regional Dispatch Center in Carpentersville, which also serves other nearby districts. Greene outlined several options for cooperation, ranging from functional or operational consolidation to legal unification, or even maintaining independence.
He stressed that consolidation wouldn’t necessarily mean cutting staff. In fact, the number of firefighters serving the combined area of 24.82 square miles is below national and regional averages. Instead, resources could be better allocated, such as replacing three fire chiefs with new roles that enhance service quality without increasing costs significantly.
Potential cooperative efforts also include joint capital planning, shared administrative services, combined equipment purchases, and unified training programs. The next step is for elected officials to decide whether to continue exploring these possibilities.
Thanks, Dan
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