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Lake Zurich FD to lose some inspectors
In a recent article from Trib Local, concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact of budget cuts on the Lake Zurich Fire Department. Following announcements about layoffs and job reductions within the village's fire, police, and public works departments, one board member has voiced worries about how these changes could compromise public safety, particularly due to a projected 30% drop in fire inspections.
Lake Zurich plans to eliminate 11 positions, with five employees facing layoffs, as outlined in the budget proposal. The fire prevention bureau will see a significant reduction in staff, cutting its workforce in half—from four to two members. These cuts are expected to result in fewer fire inspections, a concern highlighted by Fire Chief David Wheelock.
Retired Fire Chief Terry Mastandrea, who served Lake Zurich for 21 years until his retirement in 2011, expressed apprehension over these cuts. He emphasized that prevention is key to reducing fire risks, stating, "We don’t have enough people or resources to respond to fires effectively, so prevention is crucial." Mastandrea questioned whether cutting back on inspections aligns with prioritizing public safety.
Chief Wheelock noted that two fire inspector roles will be removed from the fire prevention bureau, while another position will shift from "inspector" to "fire prevention specialist." This new role will absorb additional responsibilities and collaborate more closely with the deputy fire marshal. This adjustment aims to save approximately $135,000 annually, according to the budget.
Additionally, the village intends to introduce a self-inspection program for low-risk buildings. Owners of such structures—like small offices and local shops—would perform their own checks and report findings to the fire prevention bureau. Wheelock hopes this initiative will launch this year. However, Mastandrea remains skeptical, arguing that businesses may lack motivation to disclose violations themselves.
Wheelock clarified that businesses typically receive one warning before facing fines for violations. He pointed out that the proposed self-inspection program targets low-traffic establishments unlikely to pose major risks. Even under this new system, Wheelock assured that all buildings would still be inspected at least once every two years by an official.
Interestingly, Lake Zurich generates around $32,000 annually by conducting fire inspections for nearby towns such as Deer Park and Kildeer. Consequently, any reduction in inspections will apply solely to Lake Zurich properties, which currently do not charge fees for inspections.
As discussions continue, the community waits to see how these measures will unfold and what long-term effects they may have on public safety in Lake Zurich.