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Westmont details timetable for new fire station, temporary moves and staffing plans
Summary
Westmont’s fire department outlined plans to relocate operations temporarily as construction begins on a new $30 million fire station, described expected schedule (moving out May 1) and asked for funding for a full-time training officer to maintain accreditation and meet rising medical call volumes tied to new medical facilities.
The Westmont Fire Department told the Administration and Finance Committee on Nov. 13 it expects to vacate its existing Station 183 by May 1 to allow demolition and construction of a new fire station and has coordinated temporary locations and facilities to maintain staffing and coverage.
Deputy Chief Frank and other fire leaders said the department is planning weekly coordination meetings with the architect and public-works staff and will present a preliminary budget and exterior elevations to the Public Works Committee on Dec. 11. The department expects to station engine and medic units on the south side of town throughout construction and will use temporary bunkroom space and a short-term facility on the south end built by Public Works to preserve response coverage.
Fire leadership also described rising EMS demand tied to a new medical building on Blackhawk — an increase of medical calls in that corridor — and requested a full-time training officer position to help maintain ISO ratings, CFAI accreditation and required continuing-education compliance for firefighters and paramedics.
The department said renting purpose-built temporary firehouse quarters would have been expensive (examples cited at about $700,000 for 15 months), so the village instead plans internal temporary facilities and storage arrangements to limit costs.
The village will bring more detailed budget numbers and a guaranteed-maximum-price (GMP) estimate in the spring as construction procurement advances; staff said some costs remain estimates and board review will be required for any final contracts and ordinances.
