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Firefighters warn council staffing, equipment shortfalls put residents at risk; commissioners seek new revenue options
Summary
Forest Park firefighters told the village council that chronic understaffing and inadequate apparatus threaten response capacity, prompting councilmembers to ask for expedited revenue discussions, including a possible places‑of‑eating tax and licensing changes to support recruitment and equipment.
Travis Myers, president of Local 273 representing Forest Park firefighters, told the council during public comment that understaffing and makeshift apparatus have eroded the department’s ability to serve residents. "It's putting our community at risk," he said, describing repeated calls answered by outside departments and a vehicle on duty that lacks firefighting water.
Commissioner Maxim, summarizing a recent fire department budget presentation during commissioner reports, echoed those concerns and quoted a grim scenario conveyed by the department: "It's 3:00 a.m. A paramedic's been on shift since 7:45 yesterday morning. He's been awake for nearly 20 hours... Your constituents deserve better. They deserve to know that when their worst day comes, we're at our best, not running on empty." Maxim said the part‑time administrative model adopted in 2004 is no longer sustainable and warned of longer‑term pension and financial consequences tied to on‑duty injuries and disability claims.
Maxim asked the council to move quickly on revenue measures rather than deferring action. He asked that the next budget meeting include a discussion item on a places‑of‑eating tax and related regulatory topics — specifically, entertainment licensing exemptions for low‑impact performers, expanded sidewalk seating for businesses without food service, and reconsideration of bar hours — as potential revenue or business‑support measures to help the department hire and retain staff.
Maxim also acknowledged a forthcoming CTA reimbursement that staff worked to secure and urged the council not to treat it as a complete solution. "Even if all of that money goes directly back to the first responders... it's still not going to fix all the things that need fixing," he said.
The council did not adopt a new revenue ordinance at the meeting but commissioners directed that the revenue and code topics be placed on a future agenda for discussion. The council approved several related budget and personnel resolutions during the same session (see "Council votes and proclamations"), including acceptance of a state grant for a chest compression device for the fire department.
