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Our speaker, HPFD Chief Joe Schrage brought us up to date with his department. Since 2016, the department has been answering calls to Highwood as well as Highland Park. The response to a call anywhere in town is less than seven minutes and usually is less than five. The Department, which was founded in 1889, is made up of the Fire Chief (Joe), a Deputy Fire Chief (Frank Nardomarino), an Executive Assistant (Mariyen Hernandez), Three Battalion Chiefs (one for each station) which has a minimum of four firefighters. All 50 sworn personnel are also currently licensed paramedics. The members in the fire department have logged over 16,000 hours of training last year. They are State certified in multiple disciplines. Their Special Teams include Hazardous Materials, Dive Rescue, Technical Rescue, and Fire Investigation. All training is completed at their own training site on Half Day Road. There is a lesser known division of the department and that is Fleet Maintenance, which is run by Jim Hassler. A recent addition to the fleet is a new tower ladder truck for Station #33. Pre-pandemic, the Department sought feedback from the community stakeholders in person. During the pandemic they are using social media, articles in The Highlander, the City's website and eNews to keep the community informed. The Ravinia Station will begin building it's new station house in March. The plans include solar panels and more gender inclusive restrooms. There will be meeting rooms, training and sleeping quarters on the first floor for quicker response. |
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