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Manteno fire district warns trustees Goshen must staff an on-site fire brigade to meet codes
Summary
A letter from the Manteno fire district read at the meeting urged immediate enforcement: Goshen must establish an on-site fire brigade that meets code and is operational at all times or the district could face operational and financial impacts; trustees said they will pursue written expectations and a meeting with Goshen.
At the July 6 meeting Trustee Barry read a letter from the Manteno fire district describing continuing concerns about fire protection for the Goshen facility. The district said it has repeatedly tried to negotiate a comparable plan to meet the facility’s hazard classification and that, to avoid an operational or financial impact on the district, Goshen should establish its own on-site fire brigade that meets applicable codes and is operational at all times.
The letter said the fire district has attempted to provide a plan to assist Goshen and has negotiated for months without a solution that would avoid added staffing costs for the district. It recommended Goshen implement an internal fire brigade that meets codes and operate it at all times. The letter also warned that failure to resolve the issue could cause the district to seek other revenue sources to remain financially responsible to its residents.
Trustees said they would continue to work with both the village and Goshen, but emphasized the need for immediate enforcement because of the hazards present at the facility. Some trustees said Goshen had previously offered a financial package and additional staffing but that the proposal did not meet OSHA and code standards (such as 2-in/2-out fireground safety staffing). Trustees asked for precise, written timelines and expectations to be provided to Goshen and scheduled follow-up discussions.
Why it matters: The fire district says current proposals do not provide adequate protection for firefighters, employees or residents at or near the Goshen site. Proper fire protection at industrial facilities is a local public safety issue that can have operational, fiscal and regulatory consequences.
Next steps: Trustees and staff said they will pursue written requirements and set a meeting to define what Goshen must provide; the fire district will continue to engage with the village and Goshen to ensure on-site protection meets codes and does not shift undue financial burden to the district’s residents.
