Crime & Safety
New Year Means New Cuts For Palos Fire District
The Palos Fire Protection District is faced with a budget shortfall and has responded by making a new round of cuts.
It is no secret the Palos Fire Protection District is facing a major financial shortfall. In the New Year that shortfall means several major cost cutting measures will be implemented.
The district will cut one to two men per shift. This cut in staffing will result in one of the district’s two stations closing down for three to four days each week, according to Fire Chief Steve Carr.
The closings will be rotated between the district's two stations, 13010 S. 104th Avenue and 8815 W. 123rd Street, and will remain in effect for the foreseeable future, Carr said.
Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In a statement Carr wrote that response times may be longer as crews might have to travel further across the district. He added that if multiple calls are received at one time response might have to come from a neighboring community, slowing down response times.
One financial projection estimated that the district will be broke by April 2014. A referendum will appear on the ballot in March. The district aims to increase its tax rate to more closely match other area fire districts.
Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The district's boundaries are Cal Sag Road to 135th Street, and 76th Avenue to Will-Cook Road. It takes in Palos Park and portions of Palos Heights and Orland Park.
For a closer look at the issue, read our most recent article:
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