Fox River and Countryside fire district set to begin operations Sunday

A group of men and women charged with keeping residents of the Fox River and Countryside Fire/Rescue District safe spent Tuesday afternoon familiarizing themselves with a 2,000-gallon tanker. The training, which included repacking a hose and filling a portable tank, is part of Capt. Gary Klein's weeklong plan to prepare the emergency personnel for Sunday, the district's first day of operation.

Although elements of Fire Station No. 1 in Campton Hills remained unfinished Tuesday, Chief Greg Benson said he doesn't have any doubts the district will be ready to serve its residents, who live in unincorporated areas of St. Charles, Wayne and Campton townships and the villages of Wayne, Campton Hills, Elburn and South Elgin.

"What's been developed here in a very short period of time is a well-qualified, well-equipped, very professional department that's going to be providing a great level of service," Benson said.

Just five months ago, when the district was known as the St. Charles Countryside Fire Protection District, trustees surprised residents by announcing it didn't intend to renew their contracts with their longtime service providers, the city of St. Charles and Tri-City Ambulance. Instead, they revealed plans to open a station at 40W361 Route 64 in Campton Hills and at 33W802 S. Gilbert St. in unincorporated South Elgin on May 1. Officials said the move would help the district avoid bankruptcy and would lead to quicker response times.

Monday, the trustees met for their last regular meeting before the district's launch. Board President Jim Gaffney acknowledged they felt uptight because of the looming deadline but said he was hopeful that they would all sit comfortably next week.

"Everything is going along smoothly," he said.

Stations on schedule

Despite a stop-work order that suspended construction last month, Fire Station No. 1 on Tuesday smelled of fresh paint and, in many rooms, appeared ready for furniture and appliances. Crews, meanwhile, stained wooden doors and performed other tasks in the nearly finished facility.

Per the village of Campton Hills' special-use ordinance, the district agreed to install brick on the front of the station, put in a sidewalk east of the building and submit a landscape plan for that area, district attorney Ken Shepro said.

Building inspections were being planned this week for Station No. 1 and the renovated Gilbert Street facility, officials said.

"They seem to be on schedule for operating the two stations, as far as I know," said Mark VanKerkhoff, director of Kane County's Development and Community Services Department.

Even if there are items yet to be completed, he said a temporary occupancy permit can be issued as long as the loose ends don't affect the life safety or overall use of the building. "We'll be working with the village [of Campton Hills] and the fire district to meet their goal to have occupancy of the station," VanKerkhoff said of Station No. 1.

Preparing the personnel

The Fox River and Countryside staff was hired by service provider American Emergency Services and includes those new to fire service and firefighters with 20-plus years of experience, Benson said.

Although the employees have their Firefighter II certification, they are participating in an intensive six-day training program this week to familiarize themselves with the district's equipment and geography, Benson said.

He said the district's landscape is challenging because it includes big houses, small houses, areas with hydrants, areas without hydrants and narrow driveways a quarter-mile long that lead to several homes.

"St. Charles provided us with a map book they had been using," Benson said. "That will be very helpful."

Firefighters have been driving the engines throughout the district in heavy traffic, on underpasses and over train tracks to get experience, Klein said. This week is not only showing Klein who could use additional training, he said, but it is also building camaraderie among the group.

"I'm really happy the way things have gone," he said.

Save the date

What: Station No. 1 open house
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 21
Where: 40W361 Route 64 in Campton Hills, just west of LaFox Road
Activities: Meet Chief Greg Benson, talk to firefighters and paramedics, tour the station and learn about fire safety.