DuPage County grants fund Hinsdale firefighter gear replacement and regional social-worker program

Hinsdale officials announced on June 10 that DuPage County member-initiative grants will fund both accelerated replacement of firefighting protective equipment and a regional social-worker program to support mental-health responses.

Village President Joseph Hart told the Village Board the county awards amount to “nearly $100,000” across two public-safety and wellness initiatives and credited DuPage County board members for advocacy that brought the funds to Hinsdale. Hart said the turnout-gear funds let the village replace critical equipment immediately instead of phasing replacements over five years.

The village also will share the services of a full‑time licensed clinical social worker with Burr Ridge, Darien and Willowbrook through a partnership with Northeast DuPage Family and Youth Services Organization, Hart said. Chief Brian King described the program as a way to “further integrate social work and policing,” giving officers trained support when contacting residents in crisis.

County board member Carrie Galassi, who helped secure the funding, said bringing resources "back to Hinsdale, my hometown, is really very rewarding," and described the effort as a response to residents’ needs for closer crisis services in that corner of the county. Sabrina Shirley, the social worker assigned to the partnership, introduced herself to the board: “I definitely have experience in police social work and serving the community,” she said, and called the early feedback she’s received “very positive.”

The board later authorized an intergovernmental agreement with DuPage County to expend $55,000 for replacement of Central Fire Department turnout gear; the village will make the purchase and receive county reimbursement, officials said. Village staff said the larger package of county funds supports both the equipment purchase and the social‑worker program but did not break out every line‑item beyond the $55,000 agreement on the June 10 agenda.

Why it matters: Replacing turnout gear sooner increases firefighter safety on emergency calls, officials said, and the social‑worker program redirects some mental‑health contacts from law enforcement to trained behavioral‑health staff. The IGA for gear replacement was adopted by the board on a roll‑call vote as part of the meeting’s consent and reads items.

What’s next: Staff said the village will follow competitive procurement or cooperative purchasing for the turnout gear and that the social-worker program will begin under the leadership of Chief King. Further reporting or budget entries related to the full grant package were not specified at the meeting.