Itasca Fire Protection District 2023 Annual Report

“It’s about team”

ITASCA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Introduction and History

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Mission, Staff and Station

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Incident Data and Operations

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Training

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Public Education and Fire Prevention

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Our Team in Action

WELCOME TO THE FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ITASCA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT As we welcome 2024, I am honored to have this opportunity to share with you the progress we have collectively accomplished through 2023. This report highlights our improvements as we work daily to keep Itasca residents and visitors safe in our communities.

Operationally, we ended 2023 with 1,779 calls, which represents a 3 percent increase over 2022. The vast majority of calls continue to be focused on emergency medical services.

Our team started the year with a devastating loss of one of our own, Firefighter Frank Nunez died on January 22, 2023 after a long battle with cancer. The community demonstrated their deep support by lining Frank’s funeral route on the snowiest day of the year and was very much appreciated by Frank’s family and his District family .

Fire prevention and staff readiness was a priority in 2023. This year we have focused on home safety visits and training. Our crews are installing smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and gas detector meters free of charge to Itasca residents by the generous donation from Itasca Bank & Trust. Our training division focused and increased live fire training, command level training and active shooter training with the Itasca Police Department. We have also forged strong relationships with other communities including but not limited to Roselle and Elk Grove.

Highlighting our committment to fire protection, the Itasca Fire Protection District received an designation of ISO 2 by the Public Protection Classification system (PPC). The analysis examines needed fire flow, emergency communications, fire service (equipment, staffing, operations and community risk reduction) and water supply. ISO’s PPC then assigns a grade from 1 (highest) to 10 to the community. This new designation is an increase from our previous classification. We achieved this important designation with the assistance of the Village of Itasca Public Works department. The ISO classification plays an important role in the determining marketing, underwriting, premiums and commercial fire insurance. The ISO report provides a valuable tool for fire protection district and the community.

In the first quarter of 2023, Surface Transportation Board approved the train merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern to form CPKC. This action has significant impact to our ability to reach the north side of the tracks in the event of blocked crossings.

The impact is expected to continue to grow as we experience an increase rail traffic and train length in the coming years.

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As approximately 50 percent of our calls are north of the tracks to counter the CPKC impact we have opened and manned a temporary station at the Itasca Public Works facility to ensure continued service levels to Northside residences and businesses Along with the District’s Board of Trustees we want to thank the Village of Itasca and the Public Works Department who provided resources to help us establish the temporary station.

Additionally, the District has assigned half of our on-duty Team to the temporary station and acquired a smaller site off of Arlington Heights Road as a potential home for the permanent satellite station as we continue to evaluate and assess the long term need.

The district has also begun a refresh of our 53-year-old station which is badly in need of a facelift. We installed a new roof in November and will be remodeling our bunk room, decreasing our carbon footprint, improving energy efficiency with insulated walls and redesigning the front and entryway of the firehouse.

Staffing challenges for the district mirror those found throughout the industry with declining numbers of applicants for the job of a Firefighter/Paramedic and we are using an outside source to assist us in replacing Team members who have retired. We also restructured an open part time position into a fulltime Assistant Director of Administration & Planning, whose responsibilities are to seek out grants, assist the Chief and Shift Capitan’s with the ever-increasing workload of data collection as needed for state and agency reporting and to streamline and increase office process efficiencies.

I am proud of the perseverance and dedication the members of our Fire Department have consistently demonstrated in their service to our communities. As your Chief, I am excited for what the future holds as we continue to work together to ensure every resident and visitor to Itasca is safe.

Chief John “Jack” Schneidwind

From left to right: Fire Commissioner Fred Iles, Chief John Schneidwind, Trustee John Kearny, Fire Commissioner Bob Oleander, Board President Chris Kunze and Trustee Shaun McDonald. Not pictured Fire Commissioner Pat Dempsey

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OUR HISTORY AND COMMUNITY The Itasca Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1909.

In 1910, the Fire Department was housed in the Old Village Hall.

The first fire engine, named Pumper No. 1 was purchased in 1910 from the Howe Manufacturing Company. It was a rebuilt engine, originally manufactured in 1880. The Pumper was temporarily housed in Henry Mess’ barn at 125 S. Maple. Early fireman recalled that although horses were generally used to pull the pumper, occasionally it had to be pulled and pushed to the fire by the fireman themselves.

In 1954 the members of the Itasca Fire Department decided to form the Itasca Fire Protection District. In 1972, land at the southeast corner of Irving Park Road and Catalpa was obtained from the Village for the construction of a fire station.

By 1989, the station was maintained 24 hours a day. As services and population increased, the Trustees of the District approved an expansion and remodeling of the station No. 1. In 1992, the Firefighters and Lieutenants organized into the International Association of Local Firefighters #3461.

In 2023, the District has a Chief, 3 Captains, 3 Lieutenants, Director of Fire Prevention Bureau, Assistant Director of Administration and Planning, Administrative Assistant and18 full-time firefighter-paramedics.

The Village of Itasca has 9,543 residents, one public school system and several private schools. Itasca is a charming community located in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. Itasca residents embody a strong sense of community by supporting local events, businesses and philanthropic organizations. There is rich history and traditions along with historic homes and open green spaces for gatherings.

Surrounding the residents, Itasca has over 800 businesses including a large Class A office park, 2 manufacturing areas, and industrial and transportation businesses. Our unique location includes coverage for four major expressways with regional trucking routes and an estimated 500,000 vehicles per day. Itasca also has the second tallest office building in Illinois outside of the City of Chicago. O’Hare airport is just 5 miles east of our town.

Our Fire District provides mutual and automatic aid to a combined population of 269,970 in Addison, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove Village, Roselle, Wood Dale, Elmhurst, Oakbrook Terrace, Schaumburg, and York Center.

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We are determined to continue pushing boundaries and making an impact in our community. Let’s take a look at what we have been working on and what our future plans are.

VISION By building our future upon the foundation of our past, we are committed to excellence and professional accountability through operations, training, and innovation.

Our team will adapt to the ever-changing needs of the community we serve.

MISSION The Mission of the Itasca Fire Protection District is to positively impact lives and protect property through emergency response, prevention, and education. Our team of highly trained and dedicated professionals will respond with integrity, competence, and compassion.

VALUES Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Pride, Professionalism, Resilience, Discipline

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OUR TEAM Administrative Assistant

Fire Chief

Assistant Director of Administration and Planning

Black Shift

Red Shift

Gold Shift

Captain

Captain

Captain

Lieutenant

Lieutenant

Lieutenant

Director of Fire Prevention

2 Part-Time Inspectors

18 FireFighter/Paramedics

OUR PARTNERS IN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY ADDISON CONSOLIDATED DISPATCH CENTER NORTHWEST COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE ITASCA POLICE DEPARTMENT VILLAGE OF ITASCA MABAS DIVISION 12

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FIRE STATIONS No 1 (66) & No 2 (67) Fire Station No. 1 was built in 1970. The only permanent fire station houses administration and operations with 3 apparatus bays. An addition and renovation was completed in 1992. The midcentury modern style building will be receiving a much needed rehab in 2024 with updated bunk rooms, improved energy efficiency and a redesign of the front and entryway.

In August 2023, a second temporary station was opened after the Surface Transportation Board approval of the merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern. The temporary station is located in the Village of Itasca Public Works facility at Prospect Avenue. Temporary quarters include a converted RV as a living area and bunk rooms are located inside the public works administration building. Protecting the north side of town is an engine, ambulance and battalion truck. The temporary station will remain in place while an evaluation for a permanent station is made by the Board of Trustees.

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“ Fueled by Fire and Driven by Courage”

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2023 DISTRICT ACCOMPLISHMENTS # of Fire Inspections 400

# of Plan Reviews 204

# of Fire Investigations 4

# of Smoke Detectors Installed 152

# of Carbon Monoxide Detectors Installed 87

#of Homes Visited for Home Safety Visits 64

# of Senior Lunches 12

# of CPR Students 100

# of Students participating in school visits 200

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY Toys for Tots Maddie’s Mittens Turkey’s Donated to the Itasca Food Pantry

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Earned designation as ISO 2 December 2023.

IFD Open House July 4th Fireworks Ice Cream with Police & Fire Highland Games Itasca Fest National Night Out Octoberfest School Trunk or Treat Halloween Winter Wonderland Senior Club lunches

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2023 INCIDENT DATA Total Number of Calls in 2023 = 1,777 2023 data represents a 3% increase in calls over 2022

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Significant Incidents

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TRAINING DIVISION In 2023, the training division of the Itasca Fire Protection District completed over 7,000 hours of training. With 24 members averaging almost 300 hours of training per person.

The Training Division is critical to operational success of the district. We believe in the importance of investment in our members, as exhibited by our comittment in our mission. Extensive planning is conducted to determine the needs of the members to development new skills, improve current skills and to maintain State required certification. Training is conducted in-house and off-site with other area agencies, the Illinois Fire Institute and Romeoville Fire Academy.

Throughout the year the district completed various drills to improve the capabilities and readiness of the members of the district. Some of the training competencies completed included: vehicle extrication with donated vehicles, acquired structure training in an office building setting, in depth engineer training, mass casualty/active shooter training, incident command training, first in company officer training, in service training with rope rescue equipment, training with Metra RR and fixed facility training at Elk Grove FD training facility.

As the environment, technology, innovations and healthcare changes, we continue to train to meet the needs of the community.

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Training In Action

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Metra Training Drill SEPTEMBER 16, 2023

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Active Shooter Training Drill OCTOBER 25, 2023

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FIRE PREVENTION The Fire Prevention Bureau is an integral part of the community. The Bureau conducts fire safety inspections throught the community including public and private schools, fire investigations and assists with Itasca special events.

There are approximately 837 commercial occupants working in approximately 267 properties throughout the fire district. The Fire Inspectors conduct inspections of these businesses on a regular basis to encourage and confirm compliance of the fire and life safety codes. The number of annual inspections may change due to a change in building use, occupancy, remodeling, new construction, and the willingness of the owner/occupant to comply with the violation.

PUBLIC EDUCATION The Itasca Fire District is dedicated to promoting fire safety and awareness within the community through its public education initiatives. Through various outreach programs such as Home Safety Visits, blood pressure checks and Senior Club meetings, the fire district aims to educate and interact with residents regarding fire prevention, emergency preparedness, health topics. We also highlight the importance of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers in homes and businesses.

One of the key focuses of the Itasca Fire District's public education efforts is community engagement. We regularly conduct educational events such as our annual Open House, school visits, CPR classes, as well as attendance at community events. These initiatives are designed to empower residents with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent fires and respond effectively in case of emergencies and to be advocates for their own health. We also attend many of our community partner events such as National Night Out, Family Fun Day, Fourth of July Fireworks, Ice Cream with the Police and Firefighters to name a few.

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Teen Fire Academy

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School Visits

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Memorial Mass in Honor of our Fallen Brothers

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Dedication of the Robert Bobka Training Room

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September 11

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Open House September 30, 2023

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AWARD CEREMONY - OCTOBER 12, 2023 INVESTITURE OF CHAPLAIN FRED MEIER ANNIVERSARIES Lt. Mark Ber - 25 Years Lt. David Brzezicki 20 Years Capt. John Helzing - 20 years Lt. Brooks Nicewarner - 20 Years FF Jenny Bahr - 20 Years FF Ron Bauer - 20 Years FF Bryan Hand - 20 Years

COVID-19 PANDEMIC OPERATIONS AWARD

Itasca Fire District Members & Retirees

MILITARY SERVICE AWARD

FF Ron Bauer

CITIZEN AWARDS Kimber Gruber Kirk Barry Andrew Collazo Jarrett Powers Shaji Varghese Kathrina Talaue Tanner Stuettgen Jason Tierney Brennan Whitten Griffin Natham

UNIT CITATION AWARDS

FF Casey Spangler FF Kyle Zalewski Lt. David Brzezicki Lt. David Brzezicki FF Jeff Skelley FF Cameron Letheby FF Ben Carbonara

Capt. John Raschke Lt. Brooks Nicewarner FF Ron Bauer FF Anthony Dicostanzo FF Cameron Letheby FF Nick Skelley FF Casey Spangler PM Student Logan Haslow

THE FIREFIGHTER FRANK NUNEZ AWARD INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE AWARD

AWARD RECIPIENTS 2023 Capt. Ryan Rasche 2023 Capt. John Raschke 2022

Nominees FF Jenny Bahr Admin. Asst. Karen Perry Capt. Ryan Rasche Capt. John Raschke Chief John Schneidwind

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IT’S ALL ABOUT TEAM! 27

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HOLIDAY FUN IN ITASCA!

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO Tim Olk, Northern Fire Photography, for his forever support of our District and Fire Service community.

Itasca Professional Firefighters Association Local #3461 The Board of Trustees for their amazing support The Village of Itasca community, for allowing us to serve you every day.

ITASCA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT 520 W. IRVING PARK ROAD ITASCA, IL 60143 630-773-1223 ITASCAFD.ORG CONNECT WITH US FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND NEXTDOOR