UPDATE: First Responders Settling Ambulance Dispute in Poplar Grove

North Boone Fire leaders say they need to clear the air as they continue to fight to expand their ambulance services.

The North Boone Fire District No. 3 and Capron Rescue Squad say they're working on an agreement, avoiding a legal dispute determining who can offer ambulance service in Poplar Grove.

Capron Rescue Squad has been the ambulance authority in North Boone District 3 since the late 50's, but this year North Boone decided to buy a and operate an ambulance out of its Poplar Grove station- a move than met much resistance from Capron Rescue.

Capron filed an injunction against North Boone Fire District 3 earlier this year, but dropped the lawsuit earlier this week when both sides agreed to discuss North Boone's role in offering ambulance services moving forward.

Those discussions have yet to take place but are scheduled for January 8th of next year.

"It's a little disturbing that we got so much friction from the Rescue Squad," said North Boon Fire District No. 3 board president Ray Morse. "They want us to come to a joint agreement where we'll be happy, they'll be happy and we can work together and that's all we wanted to do is work together."

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BOONE COUNTY (WIFR) – A plan to put more ambulances on the road, which could mean quicker responses in emergencies, has been put on hold.

The Capron rescue squad filed an injunction to stop the formation of the North Boone Fire Protection Number Three’s Ambulance Squad. Capron Rescue says the fire district needed to put a referendum on the ballot which didn’t happen.

"We're not against the fire department starting ambulance service the way the law is interpreted by our lawyer they need to go to referendum before starting an ambulance service. We felt they didn't do that, they didn't take the proper steps,” said Capron Rescue Squad Board President Owen Costanza.

The Capron Rescue Squad has been around since the late 1950’s and is funded through taxes. The board’s president, Owen Costanza says people who live within the Fire District would have to vote whether to pay an additional tax for that new ambulance service. However, when it comes down to it, Costanza says his squad has no problem handling the nearly 70 runs each month.

Terry Logan’s bar, The Stumble Inn is right next to one of the stations and say she doesn’t think there are enough calls to warrant the need for two companies.

"I don't know exactly how much these folks are utilized but without knowing that, I just don't see another, I just don't see the need,” said Logan.

We spoke with the fire chief who didn’t want to comment.

We’re told the Capron Squad is willing to work with the Fire District and Costanza says he has a standing offer for the Fire District to have an ambulance assist the squad when they’re overwhelmed with calls. The Capron Squad already works with three other ambulance services for those situations.

UPDATE: First Responders Settling Ambulance Dispute in Poplar Grove

21-year-old man dead after Belvidere supplier accident - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

Jacob Frisella, 21, was pronounced dead at 11:44 a.m. at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office confirmed. His death followed “a traumatic incident” at Ventra, a vehicle signaling device manufacturer, where he was employed.

Belvidere police and fire responded to an emergency call at Ventra around 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to a statement released by the Belvidere Police Department.

Belvidere Fire Chief Dave Worrell said Frisella sustained critical injuries after becoming caught in a press. Frisella was the son of a Belvidere firefighter.

“It’s a big loss for our family here,” Worrell said.

Click on the following to read all of the story:  21-year-old man dead after Belvidere supplier accident - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Belvidere Fire Department asks for help

The above is taken from the McHenry County News:  http://media.wix.com/ugd/eb7e9c_8e80f7b38c134e4c859c3d2ce6a80e51.pdf

Chrysler production to resume tonight after hazmat incident - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

By Jeff Kolkey
Rockford Register Star
Updated Nov. 12, 2013 @ 7:44 pm

BELVIDERE — Production was temporarily halted at Chrysler LLC.’s Belvidere assembly plant Tuesday at 12:06 p.m. after a chemical mixing incident.

What chemicals were being mixed and the nature of the incident was being investigated by local fire officials, Chrysler spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said in a statement.

The incident occurred outside an old body shop produced noxious fumes.

Tinson said no one was injured or sickened during the incident. An emergency response plan was implemented and workers evacuated the plant while ventilation operations proceeded.

Area fire departments responded with mobile ventilation units and at least two ambulances.

Starting about 1:30 p.m. the parking lot outside the Chrysler plant began to empty as some employees were sent home…..

A second shift reported to work at 6 p.m. as scheduled, Tinson said. But Belvidere firefighters did not leave the scene until about 7:20 p.m. It was not immediately clear when exactly the plant resumed operations.

Chrysler production to resume tonight after hazmat incident - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

Northwest Pallet Supply giving up Boone County for Rockford | Business News

The airport is perfect, NW Pallet will have a private fire department nearby.

Brian Leaf & Jennifer Wheeler

Northwest Pallet Supply signed a five-year agreement with Chicago Rockford International Airport to lease six undeveloped acres on the south side of the airfield, effective Sept. 1. The business will pay $1,960 a month, or $23,500 annually.
“All of the potential hazards that may exist with this type of operation have been addressed,” Carol Moyer, the airport’s properties coordinator, said in a memo to the airport board. “They are to adhere to all regulations to include FAA, state, local, fire safety and wildlife conservation.”….

The county is working to obtain a permanent injunctive order against Coil and Northwest Pallet to limit the kind and amount of mulch that is stored on the land, to prevent this type of business from operating on that site again.

 

Click on the following to read the rest of the story:  Northwest Pallet Supply giving up Boone County for Rockford | Business News

Illinois state fire marshal withdraws sprinkler mandate proposal - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

Larry Matkaitis announced today he is withdrawing a proposed rule change that would have mandated automated sprinklers for new home construction across the state.

"Since we began this process, we conducted numerous meetings with local officials, legislators, fire safety professionals, community leaders and residents who have all expressed a desire to strengthen Illinois' fire safety," he said in a statement released today.

"In the course of this process, it's become clear that any proposed state rule needs additional refinement."

Click on he following for more details from RRStar:  Illinois state fire marshal withdraws sprinkler mandate proposal - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Here is the post for the pro-sprinkler movement:  http://www.iafpd.org/FCdocs/Residential%20Sprinkler%20Movement.pdf

Belvidere fire chief discusses Burger King fire - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Total loss—$500,000—No injuries

Click on the following to view the film clip:  Belvidere fire chief discusses Burger King fire - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Keep the wreath red

The wreath idea is not just used by the  Belvidere Fire Department.

Many local fire departments are driving this point home with the Red Wreath program. Participating departments place wreaths at their stations bedecked with red lights. Every time they are called to a fire related to the holiday season – a Christmas tree that catches fire, a holiday candle tipped over – a red light will be replaced with a white one.

Click on the following for more of the story:  Northwest Herald | Keep the wreath red

City council moves forward with proposed lay-offs

begin the process of moving forward with layoffs for six city personnel - three in the police department, two in the fire department, and one street department employee. The motion will move forward to a final vote at next week’s council meeting.

Click on the following for the details:  The Belvidere Daily Republican. - City council moves forward with proposed lay-offs

Daily Herald | 63 Aurora employees lose jobs in layoffs

Before the personnel reductions, the city employed roughly 1,100 workers, 900 of whom are represented by bargaining groups. Both union and nonunion employees received layoff notices as follows: 21 employees from the nonunion executive and nonexempt classifications; 16 full-time employees from AFSCME Local 3298, which consists of clerical positions, inspectors, planners and accountants; and four full-time employees from AFSCME Local 1514 which includes public works and water and sewer maintenance employees.

Pursuant to the union contract, 22 part-time AFSCME Local 3298 employees also received layoff notices. At this time, the city intends to retain 15 of the 22 affected part-time positions

projected $5.6 million general fund shortfall in 2009. Caputo estimated the 2010 shortfall could reach $19 million unless the city reduces operating costs.

ore than half of those personnel costs are related to public safety.

Both the police and fire departments lost administrative or professional staff Thursday, but Ergo said no officer, paramedic or firefighter positions were eliminated.

Last month, the city's roughly 300 nonunion employees were told they will be required to take five furlough days over the remainder

Click on the following for more of the story:  Daily Herald | 63 Aurora employees lose jobs in layoffs

Kirkland volunteers seek probe of fire dept. | Daily Chronicle

Problems in Kirkland’s Volunteer Fire Department.

Click on the following for the details:  Kirkland volunteers seek probe of fire dept. | Daily Chronicle