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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016
Village first responders to receive new equipment New patrol vehicles, air packs on the way By Paul DelGuidice FOR THE VILLA PARK INDEPENDENT
Providing emergency services to the residents is one of the main functions of local government, and the Villa Park Board of Trustees has always given these essential services top priority. Having the best training and equipment possible for firefighter/paramedics and police officers can literally make the difference between life and death – for a resident OR a first responder. “Chief Rakosnik and I always talk about buying new equipment,” said Village Manager Richard Keehner during the Sept. 12 Village Board meeting. “We discuss what grants are out there to help pay for equipment.” Recently, the Fire Dept. has upgraded its alarm system at a cost of nearly $35,000. No grant funds were available for that system, but the Firehouse Subs restaurant franchisee donated funds to pay for video monitors to further upgrade the alert system. Very large and expensive equipment, however, is often required and can put a strain on equipment replacement budgets, according to Village staff. Another major equipment purchase is now in the works for the Fire Dept., and grant money will ease the burden on taxpayers in the
Garden Village. The Board of Trustees was set to vote on a Resolution at their Monday, October 10 Formal meeting to approve the purchase of 26 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air packs and a compressed air fill station for use by the fire department. The total cost of this equipment is $208,554. “We got a $189,000 grant from FEMA,” said Fire Chief Ron Rakosnik. “These are state-of-the-art, they are about $6K apiece. We should have these sometime before the first of the year.” The grant paid for 90% of the total cost, or $189,564. The additional $18,990 will be paid by the Village. “It benefits us and benefits the community as a whole,” said Rakosnik. New patrol cars, computers The Board also voted on a resolution approving the purchase of three new vehicles for the Police Dept. Two Ford Police Interceptor patrol vehicles and a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV with a police package will be purchased at a cost of $86,631. All three vehicles will replace existing police cars that are nearing the end of their service life. No grant money is available for police patrol cars, but the Village plans for vehicle replacement and has money in the budget to pay for them. The Village gets a cost break by using the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative, which allows for volume pricing.
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PAUL DELGUIDICE PHOTO Villa Park Independent
Aiden Dumycz, 3, gets some help from his dad Matt with cutting his chocolate chip pancakes at the Knights of Columbus all you can eat breakfast held on Sunday, Oct. 9 at St. Alexander’s Church. More photos inside.
See EQUIPMENT, Page 3
Inside:
Police Reports...........6 Sports �������������������� 16 Super Savings...........9 Classifieds..........18-19
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