A recent article in Trib Local delves into the potential impact of budget cuts on the Lake Zurich Fire Department. Following announcements regarding layoffs and staff reductions within the village's fire, police, and public works departments, concerns have been raised about the possible consequences of these changes on public safety. One board member has voiced worries over how the planned 30 percent decrease in fire inspections could compromise safety. Lake Zurich plans to eliminate 11 positions, leading to the layoff of five employees across the fire, police, and public works divisions. Specifically, the fire prevention bureau will see its workforce cut in half, dropping from four to two members. These adjustments are expected to significantly reduce the frequency of fire inspections, as noted by Fire Chief David Wheelock. Retired Fire Chief Terry Mastandrea, who served in Lake Zurich for 21 years until his retirement in 2011, expressed concerns over these cuts. He emphasized that the fire department has already undergone numerous reductions over time and fears that scaling back inspections could pose serious risks. “Our priority should always be prevention,†Mastandrea stated. “Why are we cutting back when public safety should be our top concern?†Chief Wheelock explained that two fire inspector roles will be removed entirely from the fire prevention bureau, while another position will transition from “inspector†to “fire prevention specialist.†This shift will require the new specialist to assume additional responsibilities alongside the deputy fire marshal. According to the budget, this change will save approximately $135,000 annually. Additionally, the department intends to introduce a program allowing low-risk building owners to conduct their own inspections and report findings directly to the fire prevention bureau. Wheelock anticipates launching this initiative later this year. However, Mastandrea remains skeptical of the self-inspection model, arguing that there may be little motivation for business owners to report violations themselves. “Years of proactive fire prevention and regular inspections have kept us safe,†he said. “The only reliable way to ensure safety is through consistent oversight.†Wheelock clarified that businesses typically receive a warning before facing penalties for non-compliance. Moreover, the self-inspection program will primarily target low-risk locations such as small offices and local shops with minimal foot traffic. Even so, Wheelock assured that all buildings—regardless of risk level—would still be inspected at least once every two years by a professional inspector. Furthermore, Lake Zurich generates around $32,000 annually from fire inspections conducted in neighboring communities like Deer Park and Kildeer. As such, the reduction in inspections will only affect Lake Zurich residents, who currently do not pay for inspection services.  Residents and stakeholders continue to weigh in on these developments, hoping to find solutions that balance fiscal responsibility with community safety. Aluminium Tripods,Triangle Tripods,Ellipse Tripods Jiangsu Laiao Material Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.jslaiao.com