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The website Reporteronline.net recently featured an article discussing how Chicago Ridge's new fire chief, George Sheets, is bringing a quint combination truck to his latest posting, much like he did in Oak Lawn. According to the report, Chief Sheets made a commitment to boost efficiency upon taking charge of the Chicago Ridge fire department in July, and he hasn't wasted any time putting this into action. At a recent village board meeting, Sheets presented a strategy aimed at cutting the department's vehicle maintenance budget in half by upgrading their fleet of vehicles.
Currently, the department spends approximately $60,000 annually to keep 11 vehicles running. Sheets argues that this is excessive, especially when compared to Oak Lawn’s Fire Department, which manages its 18 vehicles with a maintenance budget of just $50,000. Given his dual role as both departments' chief, Sheets has firsthand knowledge of these figures.
Sheets is advocating for the acquisition of a quint, a versatile piece of equipment that functions as both an engine and ladder truck. "This single vehicle replaces multiple others," Sheets explained, highlighting that it incorporates the latest firefighting technology. However, such a vehicle doesn't come cheap; Sheets estimates that a demonstration model would cost the village around $650,000. Still, he believes state or federal grants could help cover part of the expense. While the village board didn't immediately approve the purchase, they authorized Sheets to negotiate directly with the manufacturer. Sheets mentioned that there might be a 4% price hike soon, adding that demo units typically sell quickly due to their discounted pricing.
Sheets emphasized the need to streamline their fleet by phasing out certain vehicles, including an aging aerial truck and two pumpers—one of which is severely rusted and in dire need of repairs. He was offered $164,000 for all three but plans to hold out for a better deal.
In response to a concerning number of false alarms—86 incidents were recorded in 2013—Sheets proposed stricter penalties. Previously, business owners only started paying higher fees after the seventh false alarm, amounting to $25 per incident. Now, Sheets has pushed for increased fines starting from the second false alarm, raising the fee to $100. Additionally, Sheets noticed that the village’s ambulance rates were among the lowest in the area and hadn’t been adjusted in six years. Consequently, he suggested a rate hike to align with regional standards.
Overall, Sheets’ efforts reflect a broader push toward fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency within the Chicago Ridge fire department. His initiatives aim not only to cut costs but also to enhance readiness and responsiveness across various emergency scenarios.