From the IAFF Local 4790 website:
**Manpower Cuts Threaten Carpentersville Residents’ Safety**
Recent decisions by the Carpentersville Village Board to reduce fire department staffing have raised serious concerns about public safety. According to recent studies, these cuts could significantly delay emergency response times, potentially leading to loss of life.
Firefighters in Carpentersville are being told that manpower will be reduced by up to four positions per shift, which will severely impact their ability to respond effectively to emergencies. The current staffing levels are already far below those of neighboring communities, and this reduction will make things even worse.
Lt. Richard Nieves, president of IAFF Local 4790, expressed deep concern over the decision. “This is a troubling move that puts our residents at risk,†he said. “Since 2008, we’ve seen our numbers drop from 13 firefighter/paramedics down to just 8 on any given day. Even at full strength, we only reach 12 firefighters 50 days a year.â€
He compared Carpentersville’s situation to that of Streamwood, a nearby municipality with similar demand for emergency services. “Streamwood maintains 15 firefighters daily and never drops below 10. They do this with $465,000 less in annual spending than us. This shows that it's possible to provide quality service without cutting staff.â€
Nieves emphasized that the proposed cuts would lead to longer response times, which can be deadly. “Brain death can occur within 3-4 minutes after breathing stops, and modern homes burn twice as fast every minute. Our average response time is currently under 4 minutes — this will go up dramatically.â€
The village also made cuts while increasing pay for upper management, despite firefighters agreeing to minimal raises to keep staffing stable. “We offered a solution that would have maintained 12 firefighters on duty every day, but they refused,†Nieves said. “Now, one engine will be out of service 53 times a year, and Station 2 will only have two firefighters — leaving the community vulnerable.â€
With nearly 3,500 calls annually, even small increases in response time can have a major impact. Insurance ratings could jump from an ISO level of 3, which would cost homeowners more in the long run. “This isn’t about saving money — it’s about shifting costs and putting lives at risk,†Nieves concluded.
Thanks, Dan.
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