Kaneland fire chief reports staffing gains, rapid response examples to school board

Chief Brittany Chase of the Kaneland Fire Protection District updated the Kaneland Board of Education on the department’s staffing, school coverage and recent responses. Chase said the department’s roster has grown from roughly 12 members in February to 31 now and that an additional wave of applicants is pending.

Chase reported EMS staffing currently includes two paramedics and 12 EMTs, with several additional personnel in training. The department now pays one EMT to cover Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and volunteer coverage supplements that shift.

Chase detailed two recent school-year calls to illustrate response: on Sept. 10 a medical call at the high school was reported at 9:35 a.m., the department tones went off at 9:37 a.m., the unit was en route at 9:38 a.m., on scene at 9:42 a.m. (a five-minute response from tone), and Maple Park ambulance—which serves districts 1, 3 and 4—arrived at 9:43 a.m.; the incident cleared by 9:59 a.m. Chase described a second call on Sept. 16 involving a small outdoor fire near the Fox Valley Career Center; Maple Park was training nearby and resolved the incident quickly.

Chase said the department donated an engine to the Fox Valley Career Center fire science program and that she expects continued collaboration on training and events. She noted Kaneland’s referendum succeeded while the fire district’s referendum did not; the district will work toward improvements and said any significant changes to mutual-aid agreements will be communicated to the board.

No board action was required; the presentation was an informational update and board members were invited to ask questions and contact the fire district with concerns.