The following is an excerpt from a recent article in the Daily Herald. St. Charles Mayor Don DeWitte expressed strong concerns this week about the newly formed Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District, calling its future uncertain and potentially disastrous. According to DeWitte, the district’s financial structure and promises of improved emergency response times don’t add up, and he believes the changes will ultimately lead to worse service for residents who have relied on St. Charles fire protection for decades. “These are major decisions being made without enough thought,†DeWitte said. “We think they’re poorly planned, and the end result will be less service for people in the outlying areas.†He added that the district is heading toward a slow collapse, warning that the community will suffer as a result. DeWitte and St. Charles Fire Chief Pat Mullen argue that the main issue lies with the district’s low tax rate, which stands at just 19 cents per $100 of assessed value—about one-third of what neighboring districts charge. This, they say, creates a serious revenue shortfall, not an expense problem. The district is expected to sign a contract with American Emergency Services, a Wheaton-based company, to provide both firefighters and paramedics at a cost of roughly $1.7 million annually. However, the high costs associated with building two new fire stations and the uncertainty around staffing in the second year of the contract have raised red flags for local leaders. During a presentation, Mullen showed a map of the district and pointed out how the new firehouse locations—situated in the far southwest and northeast corners—could actually slow down response times for some residents. He explained that those who previously had quick access to emergency services under St. Charles may now face longer waits during emergencies. Additionally, the district’s limited number of firehouses combined with its large geographic area means it could become overwhelmed if multiple calls come in at once. A GIS-based chart created by the city shows that the South Elgin station could take up to 16 minutes to reach the Kane County Judicial Center in an emergency. Beyond the logistical challenges, DeWitte also highlighted the financial burden the new district places on the Tri-Cities. With the separation from St. Charles and the Tri-City Ambulance Service, each community will now pay more for emergency medical services. For example, St. Charles could see an additional $200,000 in costs due to the new arrangement. The full article can be read here. 15kHz Ultrasonic Horn Bra Paper Cup Welding 15Khz Ultrasonic Horn Bra Paper Cup Welding,Ultrasonic Horn For Paper Cup Welding,Ultrasonic Rectangular Mold,Square Ultrasonic Compression Tool Changzhou Piling Automation Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.plultrasonicmould.com