Excerpts from a *Daily Herald* article reveal a complicated relationship between the Antioch Rescue Squad (ARS) and local fire departments. Last year, Stone Park Fire Chief Michael Paige received an unexpected gift: a used ambulance stocked with medical supplies from the ARS. However, this generosity was not extended to the nearby Antioch Fire Department, which had to spend over $69,000 in taxpayer funds to purchase and equip a similar vehicle.
The ARS donated three ambulances to agencies outside its base in Antioch and Antioch Township, but denied a request for a similar donation to the Antioch Fire Department. According to Antioch Fire Department Chief John Nixon, the squad's ambulances were originally funded, in part, by donations from local residents and groups. He argued that these resources should have been made available to benefit the community closer to home.
"We didn’t see one dime from the ARS, so we had to spend taxpayer money to bring in ambulances and equipment to protect our residents," Nixon said. The ARS initially approved the request in March 2014, but later rescinded it, forcing the department to buy its own ambulance.
Antioch Rescue Squad leaders did not respond to multiple interview requests, but officials from the First Fire Protection District of Antioch believe the decision may stem from the ARS being excluded from a rescue services contract, which is now handled by the Antioch Fire Department.
The fire department serves both Antioch and Antioch Township, and is funded by the village, township, and fire protection district. Fire district Administrator Ted Jozefiak said that while no specific reason was given for the rejection, he believes the squad was upset about not being chosen as a service provider.
The tension between the two organizations dates back to 2012, when a sexual harassment lawsuit involving three female ARS members led to an Illinois Department of Public Health investigation. The probe found evidence of patient mistreatment, medication abuse, and employees starting shifts after excessive drinking. A former treasurer was later charged with theft, and several high-ranking members resigned.
In 2013, the ARS and the village of Antioch could not agree on a long-term contract, leading the fire department to hire an ambulance contractor. Over time, the department began purchasing its own vehicles and supplies. By 2014, the fire protection district decided to consolidate all rescue services under the fire department, ending the ARS’s contract.
After losing their contract, the ARS donated their ambulances to other agencies, including the Lake County High Schools Technology Campus and the Newport Township Fire Protection District. Stone Park also received one of the vehicles.
Derrick Burress, principal of the tech campus, said the ambulance has become a valuable training tool for EMS students. Mark Kirschhoffer, chief of the Newport district, said the ambulance serves as a backup for his fleet. However, Antioch Fire Department Chief Nixon emphasized the financial burden placed on taxpayers due to the ARS’s refusal to donate.
"Having the ARS’ ambulances would have saved us money and time," Nixon said. "Instead, we had to use public funds to get the fourth ambulance up and running."
Explosion Proof Type Pyrometer
This classification includes pyrometers designed for blast furnace equipped with explosion proof instrument.
Conditions in furnace are always tough alone with high temperature and high pressure. Limited to the requirements of operation environment and instrument`s structure, thermocouple thermometry would result in inaccurate measurement and lag reaction when works in harsh condition such as frequently temperature changes, large pressure fluctuations and event in vibration.
Since a thermocouple works at the high temperature ( usually 1200 ℃ ~ 1300 ℃) in furnace for long term, the thermocouple junction box also works at high temperature between 100 ℃ to 120 ℃, which will dramatically reduce instrument`s service life to a range from few weeks to few months. It will increases use-cost and maintenance workload.
In order to overcome above shortcomings, our company has designed and produced a serials of specialized infrared temperature measure device to ensure our infrared temperature measuring system works reliably in complex environment.
Explosion Proof Type Pyrometer,Explosion Proof Pyrometer,Stove Use Pyrometer,Pyrometer For Industry Furnace
Changzhou Sijie Optoelectronics Technology Co.,Ltd. , https://www.sjinfrared.com