Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
South Beloit fire chief reports 215 calls since Oct. 11, says department can perform rapid-sequence intubation
Summary
The South Beloit Fire Department reported 215 calls since Oct. 11 and described new equipment and staffing changes, including the ability to perform rapid-sequence intubation, a pending new ambulance and plans to move dispatch to Winnebago County.
South Beloit’s fire department reported 215 calls between Oct. 11 and the start of 2025 and described several equipment and operations upgrades at the City Council meeting on Jan. 6.
The department's presenter said the calls included 161 medical incidents, six fire responses, 27 service calls, 10 good-intent calls and eight false alarms. The speaker said the quarter also included one special incident and listed monthly automatic- and mutual-aid responses.
The presenter told the council the department is now approved for rapid-sequence intubation (RSI), allowing crews to intubate with paralytics on certain critical patients. "We no longer need mutual aid ambulances to facilitate RSI on critical patients, saving time and resources," the presenter said. The department also upgraded EMS bags for interoperability with neighboring Lloyd and placed a Massimo RAD-57 device on a Lloyd ambulance to help detect suspected carbon-monoxide exposure.
Other updates included new oxygen cylinders hydro-tested to NFPA and manufacturer specifications, an ambulance (ambulance chassis "Charles 3") repaired for emissions issues, and an expected new ambulance in roughly six to eight months. The department said a boat stored offsite at a neighboring station will remain there for winter and that new fire hose, saws and chainsaw blades are on order to replace aging equipment.
The presenter said station cleaning and organizing continues, new kitchen storage and laundry equipment have been installed, gutters were cleaned, and a large oak tree in front of the fire station will be removed because of concerns about potential building damage.
The department reported it is working with Winnebago County to transfer dispatching and the vehicle-mounted computers so radios and dispatch can be handled by the county; staff said they hope to complete that transition by March 1, subject to agreements with outside agencies.
Council members asked for follow-up information on response staffing, including how often a driver is in the station and how long it takes for a crew to respond when no driver is present; the presenter said those numbers can be provided on request. The presenter also described community outreach the department took part in over the quarter, including a homecoming parade, tree lighting and Shop with a Hero events.
The report concluded with routine maintenance items and a list of planned future work; council members did not take formal action on the report at the meeting.
