Excerpts from freepressnewspapers.com: A full house filled the gymnasium at the school in Custer Park on Monday, July 17, as nearly 200 residents from Braidwood and Custer Township gathered with fire district officials to discuss a potential agreement that would place Braidwood in charge of fire protection services for Custer. During the meeting, a medical emergency occurred in the parking lot, prompting a quick response from Custer’s EMTs and paramedics. However, the situation still required the Braidwood Fire Protection District (BFPD) to assist with transport, highlighting the current limitations of local emergency services. The Custer Fire Protection District (CFPD) and BFPD are currently negotiating an intergovernmental agreement (IGA). While the document is still in draft form, it outlines that all tax revenue collected by CFPD would be transferred to Braidwood. In return, CFPD would sell off any assets not needed by Braidwood and distribute the proceeds accordingly. The three-hour meeting featured passionate arguments from both supporters and opponents of the IGA. Residents and officials shared their views, reflecting deep concerns about the future of emergency services in the area. Trustee Bob Hussey highlighted the CFPD’s achievements since its reopening in 2019, including equipment upgrades, maintenance projects, and the acquisition of new apparatus. He emphasized the dedication of the department’s firefighters, EMTs, and leadership. However, some residents are frustrated that Custer Township, including the fire district, is expected to receive additional tax revenue from upcoming developments such as a solar farm and a water district. While some believe these funds should remain in Custer, others argue that current resources are insufficient to maintain staffing levels, keep the ambulance service operational, and keep taxes low. CFPD President Ron Pruss stressed that without a fully functional ambulance, the district cannot operate independently and must rely on neighboring districts for support. Although Custer has its own ambulance, funded in part by donations to the non-profit Friends of Custer Fire, it has not yet received state approval for transport. The application is pending through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), with a decision expected by August 5. Currently, CFPD operates under a non-transport license, allowing them to provide emergency care until another district’s ambulance arrives. While they have enough staff to cover this role, they are unable to fully respond to all calls due to limited capacity. Due to tax limits, CFPD cannot raise enough funds to hire more staff, making it difficult to ensure consistent coverage. BFPD has suggested that Custer’s employees could join their team, but EMTs and paramedics who are not also firefighters would need to obtain firefighter certifications. Some residents expressed frustration over the fact that they supported the department’s reopening by approving a tax increase in 2018, only to see it fall back under Braidwood’s jurisdiction. Others, however, felt that waiting for full operational capability was no longer viable and believed the IGA would offer greater security. Many attendees also voiced frustration over the lack of public access to the IGA draft, calling for transparency in the process. Custer Park’s fire department ceased operations in 2013 when the private Custer Fire Department, Inc., shut down. Afterward, the township relied on Braidwood for services until 2018, when voters approved a referendum to reopen the CFPD in May 2019. Initially, Custer partnered with Riverside EMS for ambulance and paramedic services, but that contract expired last fall. According to the draft IGA, Braidwood would retain Custer’s ambulance. The agreement is set to last five years, after which it will be reviewed, with the possibility of a merger. A merger could lead to cost savings by eliminating redundant expenses like dispatch and insurance, though it would require voter approval via a referendum. Thanks, Dennis Metal Frame,Metal Sheet,Silicon Steel Plate,Mild Steel Plate Suzhou Gold ant Precision Sheet Metal Co.,Ltd , https://www.jmysheetmetal.com