Fire Department Spotlights Accomplishments in 2011 Report

The 2011 year for the was marked above all by the on Sep. 17, wrote in his first annual report (unusually, written for a year in which he was not a member of the Department.)

Kenny credited his predecessor, (whom he replaced at the beginning of 2012,) with bringing the project—which had been discussed for decades—to fruition, also mentioning the “vision” of Village staff and elected officials.

“The result was a neighborhood-friendly structure constructed, as well as furnished, with emergency and non-emergency equipment with no financial impact to our residents,” Kenny wrote in a letter to the Village Board of Trustees. “This is quite an accomplishment in today’s challenging economic environment.”

Other “key accomplishments” highlighted in the report include the expansion of the Western Springs Medical Reserve corps, which now boasts 45 members, the receipt of a $32,000 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant for buying computers and personal protective equipment, the promotion of two firefighters to lieutenant and two lieutenants to captain and an Oct. 29 all-hands exercise simulating a major tornado disaster.

Additionally, the Department in 2011 established a “Knox Box” program to provide quick access to the homes of seniors who might be unable to answer their doors for emergency personnel. Two such boxes are now in service in the Village and the Department has three more available to deploy.

Notable statistics from the 2011 year for the Department included:

• The Department responded to 1,696 fire and/or EMS incidents in 2011, very slightly less than in the past two years. This included 715 still alarms (minor dispatch) and 114 general alarms (dispatch of most of or the entire Department.)
• 306 incidents of mutual aid assistance were given, including 109 to La Grange, 105 to Hinsdale, 41 to the Pleasantview district, 23 to the Tri-State district and 18 to La Grange Park.
• EMS treatments consisted of 279 advanced life support procedures and144 instances of basic life support care. 107 patients refused treatment/transportation.
• Department members completed a cumulative 7,988 hours of training over the course of the year.
• Fire safety education seminars were presented to 1,400 elementary-school children and 364 preschoolers, along with seven Recreation Department summer camps and three Scouting troops. The Department also hosted 27 formal tours for about 450 residents.
• In 34 CPR classes, the Department provided certification to 328 people.
• The Department visited 35 neighborhood block parties and hosted six birthday parties.