The Daily Herald recently published an article focusing on the ongoing rift between the Village of Barrington Fire Department and the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District. As of January 1st, the two entities officially parted ways, but not without encountering some last-minute hiccups. Despite the fire district inheriting 19 firefighters who were let go by the Village of Barrington at the stroke of midnight, these firefighters were denied access to their custom-fitted safety gear.
This situation led the fire district to scramble for temporary solutions. They had to borrow equipment from the Fox River Grove Fire Protection District just days before the split and began exploring leasing options from other sources for the future. According to Barrington Village Manager Jeff Lawler, the problem stemmed from the fact that the district did not directly hire the laid-off firefighters but instead used the services of the private contractor Paramedic Services of Illinois. He stated, “It is taxpayer property, and we cannot simply hand it over without the proper legal process.†Lawler mentioned that this issue was discussed with fire district officials in early December, and he found it puzzling that they hadn’t resolved it.
Tom Rowan, president of the Barrington Countryside board, noted that the conversation Lawler referenced appears to be remembered only by the Village of Barrington. Given the long-standing contractual relationship between the fire district and the village, it was agreed that all shared equipment would be equally divided, similar to how the vehicles were distributed.
Barrington Countryside Fire Chief Jeff Swanson emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety over rigid adherence to rules. Although legalities surrounding the division of equipment could have been sorted out gradually, the firefighters required their gear on New Year's Day. Currently, Barrington Countryside employs 34 firefighters through Paramedic Services of Illinois, and only the 19 transferred from the Barrington Fire Department faced this issue. The specialized equipment ordered specifically for these employees is anticipated to arrive in the spring, and they will rely on leased gear in the interim.
Despite this hiccup, both organizations have successfully continued their operations post-split. The Barrington Fire Department now focuses solely on its five-square-mile jurisdiction, having previously covered the entire district. Rowan highlighted the positive morale among the fire district's new staff, noting their enthusiasm was evident when they thoroughly cleaned all their equipment immediately after receiving it from the village.
Barrington Countryside serves areas including Barrington Hills, Lake Barrington, South Barrington, Inverness, and portions of unincorporated Cook, Lake, and McHenry counties.
Separately, here’s what we know about the apparatus split:
The Village of Barrington Fire Department retains:
- One engine
- The quint
- The battalion buggy
- Two ambulances
Meanwhile, the Barrington Countryside FPD holds:
- Two engines
- The squad
- The tanker (including a newly acquired tanker)
- Two ambulances
Currently, we remain uncertain about the ownership of the brush unit.
On a broader note, the transition has been smoother than anticipated, with both parties committed to maintaining community safety despite the challenges encountered. The initial weeks following the split have shown resilience and cooperation, ensuring that emergency services remain robust across the region.
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