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Kankakee fire chief reports busiest year yet, links three structure fires to space-heater misuse; council approves $94,823.82 in fire bills
Summary
Chief LaRose told the Public Safety Committee that the fire department ran its busiest year (7,947 calls), described five December structure fires (three tied to space-heater misuse), and the council approved $94,823.82 in fire department bills.
Chief LaRose presented Kankakee City’s fire department report at the Jan. 6 Public Safety Committee meeting, reviewing staffing levels, December calls and recent fires and prevention work.
LaRose said the department started December with 46 personnel, hired two during the month to reach 48, and remained under the budgeted strength of 51 because a few personnel were out on medical leave or FMLA. He described a vehicle-maintenance spend for December and said the department put surplus Engine 1 out of service for sale or disposal due to significant maintenance needs.
Why it matters: the department reported 653 calls in December (393 medical) and said the calendar year closed with 7,947 calls — its busiest year to date. The chief told the committee there were five confirmed structure fires in the month; that three of them “were determined to be caused by misuse of space heaters,” and he praised crew work in a Kensington rescue where four family members were evacuated from a second-floor fire with no transports to hospital.
Chief LaRose also reviewed prevention and community programs: the fire prevention bureau conducted 148 life-safety inspections in December; installers put 26 smoke detectors and 10 carbon monoxide detectors into residences during the month; and he reported the community risk reduction office installed 106 carbon monoxide detectors across Kankakee during 2025.
LaRose read billing and overtime numbers and asked for approval of department bills covering ambulance repairs, fuel, EMS billing and station repairs. The committee voted to approve fire department bills in the amount of $94,823.82 after a motion and a second; the chair recorded vocal approval.
What’s next: the chief said a new engine is expected in the spring, staff are working on a 10-year vehicle replacement plan with the mayor and city manager, and the department will continue prevention and senior-safety outreach.
