The Daily Herald recently published an article discussing staffing challenges faced by the Mount Prospect Fire Department: In 2006, the department added an engine to its downtown fire station, aiming to improve response capabilities. However, the economic downturn hit hard, and in 2011, the village made across-the-board cuts, reducing staff by 10%, which meant losing six firefighters. This left the department struggling to maintain adequate coverage. Fire Chief John Malcolm attempted to address the shortage by implementing a "jump" company model, where firefighters would switch between Engine 13 and Tower 13, the station’s ladder truck. But this strategy was abandoned after a major fire at the Colonial Greens complex in the middle of the night. During that incident, firefighters had to return to the station to retrieve the unstaffed ladder truck, highlighting the risks of under-resourcing the department. Following that event, Chief Malcolm decided to retire Engine 13 and rely solely on Tower 13 for all calls, including ambulance responses and car fires. Now, as the village board is finalizing its 2015 budget, discussions have resurfaced about restoring the six lost positions. The head of the firefighters’ union recently addressed the board, urging them to reinstate those roles and bring Engine 13 back into service. During the meeting, Trustee Paul Hoefert asked Deputy Fire Chief Henry Dawson whether the department's current staffing levels still meet safety standards. Dawson confirmed that response times are within acceptable limits, with an average of 4 minutes and 17 seconds. Hoefert emphasized that, despite the reduced numbers, the community remains safe. In his budget presentation, Dawson noted that the department is requesting $13.1 million—up 1.56% from the previous year. He also highlighted the increased workload on Tower 13 since Engine 13 was retired. In 2014, Tower 13 responded to 1,947 calls, making it the busiest vehicle in the department. According to a national survey, it ranked 63rd among the busiest tower ladders in the country. Dawson pointed out an ironic trend: nearly half the time, the department receives another call almost immediately after the first one. “That only reinforces the need to keep the tower on the road,†he said. Board members showed openness to considering the issue further. Chief Malcolm noted that Mount Prospect has the lowest staffing levels among comparable departments in the region. “Having that engine downtown makes us more efficient,†he said. “But when we send one engine out for mutual aid, we’re left with just one unit in town.†Thanks Dan Auxiliary Machines,Plastic Pulverizer,Plastic Crusher Machine,Plastic Recycle Crashing Machine Zhoushan Taisu Overseas Co Ltd. , https://www.taisuoverseas.com