Wheeling proposes three new firefighters and three lieutenant reclassifications to address growing ambulance demand

Trustees signaled support Nov. 1 for a proposal to add three full-time firefighters and reclassify three positions as lieutenants to improve emergency medical services coverage.

Manager/Presenter (S3) and Fire Department leaders described a 32% increase in ambulance calls over four years that has stretched staffing and increased overtime and workers’ compensation claims. The staffing proposal — designed to provide a third ambulance in service and create supervisory coverage for ladder companies — carries an estimated annual net cost of about $150,000 but is expected to produce at least $200,000 in overtime savings once staff are on board.

Chief leadership explained the operational rationale: a third ambulance would reduce mutual-aid reliance, lower out-of-service time caused by transports to more distant hospitals, and improve response reliability. Board members asked about recruitment timing; staff reported interviews scheduled for Nov. 13 and a plan to place hires into academies or paramedic school beginning in January where appropriate.

Funding for the positions would come in part from reclassifying airport fuel sales-tax receipts (a restricted revenue source) back into the general fund after confirming allowable uses with IDOT/FAA. Manager/Presenter (S3) said, "we got permission to put that money back into the general fund" to cover the requested positions, though the money is not paid directly from the airport fund to payroll.

Trustees approved the expanded-level request by consensus and asked for quarterly data from Northwest Central Dispatch and staff dashboards to monitor call volumes and responses as hires are phased in.