Here's a rewritten and expanded version of the original text, crafted to sound more like a natural, human-written piece of content: The following is an excerpt from an article published in the Daily Herald earlier this week. It highlights concerns raised by St. Charles Mayor Don DeWitte about the newly formed Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District. DeWitte expressed strong doubts about the viability of the new district, calling its financial model and promises of improved emergency response times unrealistic. “These are drastic decisions being made without much thought,†he said. “We believe they’re poorly planned and will ultimately lead to reduced service for our residents, who have relied on us for decades.†According to DeWitte, the main issue lies in the fire district’s low tax rate—just 19 cents per $100 of assessed value—which is significantly lower than neighboring districts. “They don’t have an expense problem,†he explained. “They have a revenue problem.†The district plans to contract with American Emergency Services, a company based in Wheaton, to provide both firefighters and paramedics at an estimated cost of $1.7 million annually. However, DeWitte and St. Charles Fire Chief Pat Mullen are concerned about the additional costs of building two new fire stations and the uncertain expenses associated with staffing in the second year of the contract. During a recent meeting, Mullen demonstrated how the placement of the new firehouses—located at the far southwest and northeast ends of the district—could actually result in longer response times for some residents. “Homeowners who currently have quick access to emergency services under St. Charles may now face delays,†he said. He also pointed out that with only two firehouses covering a large area, the district could become overburdened during multiple emergencies. A city-generated GIS map showed that the station near South Elgin might take up to 16 minutes to reach the Kane County Judicial Center in an emergency. That’s well above the standard response time expected in most areas. Beyond the operational concerns, DeWitte warned that the new fire district will place a financial burden on the Tri-Cities. With the district no longer integrated with St. Charles and the Tri-City Ambulance Service, each community will have to cover a larger portion of the cost for paramedic services. For example, St. Charles is expected to pay an extra $200,000 annually. As the fire district moves forward with its plans, critics like DeWitte and Mullen remain skeptical, warning that the long-term consequences could be serious. Their concerns highlight a growing debate over how best to fund and manage emergency services in a rapidly changing region. The full article can be read here. Ultrasonic Mold,Ultrasonic Moulding,Ultrasonic Molding,Ultrasonic Injection Molding Changzhou Piling Automation Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.plultrasonicmould.com