MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — North Park Fire Protection District Interim Chief Jay Alms pushed back against recent claims regarding department emergency response capabilities and district leadership following a public statement and board of trustees meeting.
Concerns surfaced after reports alleged the district was left without emergency coverage during a Sept. 5 family outing for firefighters. Department officials clarified that the station remained continuously staffed and in service, supported by long-standing automatic-aid and mutual-aid agreements across Winnebago County.
Addressing claims that the station closed during a Sept. 5 family outing to a Beloit Sky Carp baseball game, Interim Fire Alms confirmed the facility remained operational. “So we had a a baseball outing and we invite the crews to go to, and, the rumor started that we were shutting the station down so the crews could go to the baseball game. Well, we never shut down the station. We’re here 365, seven days a week and 24 hours a day,” Alms stated. He noted that neighboring departments routinely assist one another during departmental events. “We’re not shutting it down. Sometimes when even other departments do things, we cover them. Everybody covers everybody else all the way. Mutual aid. So nothing is ever closed. So those are false rumors,” Alms said.
Alms also clarified response standards regarding medical units, noting that community tax revenue shapes staffing limits for emergency vehicles. “So the tax base allows us to to staff one ambulance depending on the crews that here, sometimes we can get a second ambulance staff. But let’s see, even if you have three ambulances staffed, if you have a car accident that can take all three out of service. So you have to call surrounding departments to help you out,” Alms explained. He emphasized that reliance on neighboring assistance is standard across local municipalities. “And that happens every day. And it happens in the city of Rockford. Happens in Harlem, Roscoe. It happens everywhere. So it’s it’s not unique to us by any means,” Alms added.
To expand capabilities, Alms expressed interest in potential community funding measures while maintaining current combination staffing models. “Yeah, we’d we’d love to get an ambulance tax so we could support another ambulance. It’s just the tax base doesn’t allow it now. So we’re doing what we can with the money we have,” Alms said. The department relies on a mix of full-time and volunteer personnel to maintain coverage under existing budget constraints…