McHenry Township Fire Protection District news

Excerpts from shawlocal.com:

The McHenry Township Fire Protection District is facing a growing demand for emergency services. In 2022, they anticipate 7,400 calls for service, which represents a 7.6% increase compared to 2021. This follows a significant 21% rise in ambulance calls over the past two years, signaling a clear upward trend in need.

Like many organizations, the fire district is experiencing challenges such as fewer qualified applicants for firefighter roles, longer equipment lead times, and supply chain delays. As a result, the district recently made a major shift by hiring full-time firefighters for the first time. In December, the board of trustees approved the addition of 12 full-time firefighter/paramedics, marking a move away from a primarily part-time workforce.

In May, another 12 full-time firefighters were added. These individuals join existing full-time staff, including lieutenants, battalion chiefs, and 90 part-time firefighters, who collectively cover all five stations around the clock. The district serves a wide area, including Bull Valley, Johnsburg, Holiday Hills, Lakemoor, McCullom Lake, McHenry, Ringwood, portions of Wonder Lake and Island Lake, and unincorporated parts of McHenry County.

A key challenge now is staffing and replacing ambulances to meet rising call volumes. To address this, the fire district secured a $361,000 grant from Advance McHenry County to purchase a sixth ambulance. Five more are currently on order as part of a seven-year vehicle rotation plan. Two of these will arrive in October, earlier than previously scheduled, while one is expected in March 2023. Another two, ordered in July, won’t be delivered until 2024. When the new ambulance is finally ordered, it could take between 18 months and two years to arrive.

Currently, the district operates seven ambulances, with five in active use at fire stations and two kept on standby for special events, high-volume periods, or in case of breakdowns. Transport times have also increased, with some trips taking anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour, adding to the strain on resources.

To help reduce the number of ambulance calls, the district has launched educational initiatives aimed at preventing falls and improving lift assistance. They are also collaborating with McHenry County social workers to address mental health-related calls. Additionally, the pandemic had a significant impact on call volume. Initially, in early 2020, ambulance calls dropped as patients avoided hospitals, but by summer, delayed care led to a surge in demand. Since March 13, 2020, the district has transported 769 people with COVID-19.

Thanks, Rob

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