The Reporteronline.net recently published an article detailing how Chicago Ridge's new fire chief, George Sheets, is pushing for operational improvements, much like he did during his tenure in Oak Lawn.
Since taking charge of the Chicago Ridge Fire Department in July, Chief Sheets has been focused on increasing efficiency. At a recent village board meeting, he presented a plan aimed at cutting the department’s vehicle maintenance costs by 50% through fleet upgrades. Currently, the department spends approximately $60,000 to maintain 11 vehicles, which Sheets believes is excessive compared to Oak Lawn’s $50,000 budget for 18 vehicles—something he knows firsthand, as he also leads the Oak Lawn Fire Department.
Sheets proposed that the village invest in a quint, a versatile fire apparatus that combines the functions of both a pumper and a ladder truck. “It consolidates multiple vehicles into one,†he explained, noting that it includes the latest firefighting technology. However, the cost is steep: a demo model could run around $650,000. While state or federal grants may help cover part of the expense, the village board didn’t approve the purchase immediately. Some trustees wanted to see the quint in person before making a decision. Nevertheless, Sheets was given the authority to negotiate with the manufacturer.
Sheets warned that prices for quints are expected to rise by 4% soon, and demo units tend to sell quickly due to their discounted rates. He emphasized the need to streamline the fleet by removing an aerial truck and two pumpers, one of which is heavily rusted and in poor condition. Although he received an offer of $164,000 for the three vehicles, he is hoping to get more.
In September, after reviewing data showing that firefighters responded to 86 false alarms in 2013, Sheets called for stricter penalties and a 300% increase in fines. He pointed out that the existing village ordinance lacked enforcement power, as it only required businesses to pay $25 per false alarm starting from the seventh call. Now, the fee has been raised to $100, beginning with the second false alarm.
Additionally, Sheets recommended raising the ambulance fee, as the village’s rate had not been updated in six years and was among the lowest in the region. His goal remains clear: to make the department more efficient and financially sustainable in the long run.
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