Increased Response Times Expected to Endanger Public Safety

Recent decisions made by the Carpentersville Village Board regarding cuts to fire department resources are raising concerns about emergency response capabilities and public safety. According to public safety studies, these cuts pose a significant risk to the community.

Local officials have informed Carpentersville firefighters that they plan to reduce staffing by up to four positions per shift. This move would drastically decrease the daily operational capacity of the fire department, leaving it far behind neighboring towns in terms of readiness and response levels.

"This is deeply troubling," stated Lt. Richard Nieves, president of Carpentersville Local 4790 of the International Association of Firefighters. "Not only is this unnecessary, but it also threatens the safety of our residents. Since 2008, our department's staffing has dropped from having 13 firefighter/paramedics available daily down to just eight."

He continued, "At full capacity, we might have 12 firefighters available at once, but that happens fewer than 50 days a year. To put this into perspective, Streamwood—a similar-sized municipality—maintains 15 firefighters on duty each day at full strength, never falling below 10. They achieve this with approximately $465,000 less in annual funding than what Carpentersville spends."

"To sum it up, there's no question that response times will increase in Carpentersville, putting both lives and property at risk. This decision by the local government could have devastating consequences."

Despite agreeing to modest salary increases during their 2010-2013 contract, allowing the village to maintain adequate staffing levels, 33 firefighters sacrificed part of their compensation to preserve public safety standards. Meanwhile, the village simultaneously increased upper-level administrative staffing, granting significant pay hikes to those positions.

"Our team worked hard to ensure a baseline level of staffing while prioritizing the community’s well-being," Nieves explained. "However, the village administration insisted on cutting back on personnel instead. They've even expressed intentions to idle fire engines, seemingly prioritizing budgetary moves over the welfare of residents."

"We proposed an alternative solution that would have kept staffing levels consistent without additional costs to the village, but it was rejected outright. Our plan aimed to sustain a daily complement of 12 firefighters, ensuring round-the-clock coverage throughout the year."

Nieves highlighted that the proposed cuts would result in an engine being taken out of service at least 53 times annually. One station, located on the eastern side of the town, would operate with only two firefighters, effectively halving its operational capacity. This adjustment severely impacts the department's ability to handle multiple emergencies simultaneously.

He emphasized, "Currently, our average response time is under four minutes, but this will inevitably rise. Medical research shows brain damage can begin within three to four minutes if breathing ceases, and modern home fires burn twice as hot and fast compared to older structures. We receive around 3,500 calls per year; any delays will negatively affect outcomes."

"Moreover, insurance ratings will likely worsen from the current ISO rating of 3, negating any supposed savings passed onto homeowners. It's all just a shell game—what appears as cost-cutting measures by the village council is really just transferring funds elsewhere, putting lives and property at greater risk."

"This decision isn’t just reckless—it’s dangerous. Politicians need to reconsider before jeopardizing the very people they’re elected to protect."

- Thanks, Dan

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