Cuts proposed by city bureaucrats will reduce the number
of firefighters and paramedics ready to respond to your needs.
Reductions in first-responders can mean longer response times
to handle a fire, medical emergency or homeland security emergency.
Everyday, firefighters and paramedics put their lives on the line -
ready to serve you and our community. Proposed cuts in emergency
services may keep us away when you need us most.
In 2009, Waukegan firefighters and paramedics responded to
nearly 10,000 calls with a team averaging 26 first-responders
on duty every day. Our department is appropriated to have 117
firefighters. Through attrition our numbers have dwindled to
104 firefighters. Proposed cuts would lower that number even
more and may mean a longer response time when seconds count to
preserve a life or save property.
When a natural or man-made disaster occurs, Waukegan depends on
its fire and paramedic first-responders. In Feb. of 2008 our
first responders were put to the test. An explosion in a strip
mall caused several stores to be destroyed and injured 8 people.
Waukegan's trained professionals arrived to the scene in minutes to
handle the chaos. Our special teams were able to search the rubble
for any victims that may have lain helpless. Cuts proposed place
specialty response teams and training on the chopping block. Help
your firefighters and paramedics be prepared when our community and city need us most.
Waukegan enjoys lower insurance rates because of the Waukegan Fire Dept's Class 3 ISO rating.
Your fire department is second to none. Cuts proposed will impact our ISO rating, and may
mean insurance policy costs will rise as a result.
