Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Police and fire leaders tell Forest Park council staffing, vehicles and gear strain response capacity
Summary
Police and fire officials reported heavy overtime, an understaffed police fleet and aging fire equipment; the council discussed leasing squad cars, drone training, pending FEMA grant applications for SCBA equipment, ambulance procurement and timing for firehouse rehabilitation tied to an existing $1.5M allocation.
Public-safety leaders told commissioners the combined pressure of rising call volumes and aging equipment is creating operational strain and will shape FY2026 budget needs.
The police department described a depleted fleet and staffing pinch: the department is projecting five officers on patrol at a time, plans to swear in new hires soon to reach roughly 35 of 38 sworn positions, but continues to rely on overtime and is exploring fleet-lease options to avoid a multi-year replacement backlog. The police chief said some proposals may allow the village to get new vehicles every three years via leasing rather than holding cars for a decade.
On enforcement and collections, the department noted that state changes removed license-suspension as a collections lever for parking fines and that any return to ‘booting’ or other active enforcement must consider staff safety and net revenue. The chief also outlined a possible drone program supported by customs or seizure funds and said training and FAA certification would be required.
Fire leadership reported grant applications (Assistance to Firefighters/FEMA) to replace end-of-life self-contained breathing apparatus and related gear; staff said two air-pack failures and noncompliance with current standards increase risk and strengthen the case for grant-funded replacement. The fire department is also awaiting an ambulance expected in August and is moving forward with an existing-structures assessment for a planned firehouse rehab. Staff noted a $1.5 million allocation tied to Forest Park infrastructure work and said they are preparing budgets to support grant applications and any capital match requirements.
Commissioners asked for cost estimates, potential funding sources, and comparisons for lease vs. buy vehicle strategies. No formal decisions or votes were taken; staff will return with financial analyses and proposals for the council to consider in follow-up budget meetings.
Next steps: staff to provide cost/benefit analysis of vehicle leasing vs. purchase, estimates for overtime reduction if more officers are fully deployed, status and match requirements for pending grants, and timing for ambulance delivery and firehouse rehab planning.
