Fire Public Safety

PUBLIC NOTICE FIRE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Thursday, March 5, 2026 - 4:30 PM Westmont Village Hall - 31 W. Quincy Street, Westmont, Illinois 60559 AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Public Comment 5. Approval of Minutes A. Minutes of the August 7, 2025 regular meeting. 6. Unfinished Business A. Fire Station Update- 845 Group & Leopardo 7. New Business A. Service Awards B. CFO/EFO Awards C. Life Saving Awards D. Employee of the Year E. Promotion to Lieutenant F. EMS/MC to PBS Billing 8. Reports A. Committee Chair B. Department Director i. 2025 Year End Report Page 1 of 20  C. Division(s) Reports 9. Miscellaneous 10. Adjourn Note: Any person who has a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting should contact the ADA Compliance Officer, 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday, Village of Westmont, Illinois, 60559; or telephone (630) 981-6210 voice, within a reasonable time before the meeting. Listen Everywhere, an assistive listening, mobile app, is now available to visitors attending Board and Commission Meetings held in the Village Hall Board Room. https://westmont.illinois.gov/581/ADA-Listen-Everywhere Page 2 of 20  ​Village Board Fire Public Safety Committee​ ​~ Regular Meeting ~​ ​MINUTES​ ​~ Thursday, August 7, 2025 ~​ ​CALL TO ORDER​ ​Trustee Guzzo called the meeting to order at 1630 hours.​ ​PRESENT​ ​Mayor Nero, Village Manager Gunther, Assistant Village Manager Parker, Trustee​ ​Barker, Trustee Guzzo, Trustee Liddle, Trustee Parrilli, Trustee Plowman, Trustee Scales​ ​and Fire Chief Riley.​ ​ALSO PRESENT​ ​Deputy Chief Fitzgerald, Deputy Chief Frank, Police Chief Gruen, Community​ ​Development Director Hennerfeind, Public Works Director Reis, Human Resources​ ​Director Brainerd, Finance Director Altic, Fire Prevention Bureau Director Berkowitz,​ ​Director Governmental Services Mielcarski, Senior Planner Williams, Communications​ ​Specialist Babyar and Administrative Assistant Saldivar.​ ​ABSENT -​​Clerk Szymski.​ ​PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE​ ​The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.​ ​PUBLIC COMMENT​ ​No public comment was received.​ ​APPROVAL OF MAY 13, 2025 AND MAY 15, 2025 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES​ ​Trustee Liddle made a motion, seconded by Trustee Barker, to approve the May 13, 2025 and​ ​May 15, 2025 Public Safety Committee Minutes as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.​ ​UNFINISHED BUSINESS​ ​None.​ ​NEW BUSINESS​ ​Presentation of Department Awards​ ​Presentation of Chief’s Citation Awards​ ​Chief Riley presented Chief’s Citation Awards to Katie Jansen and Jayne Falcon for their​ ​exceptional teamwork and patient care during a critical rollover motor vehicle accident on Route​ ​83. Chief Riley noted that while the patient later succumbed to their injuries, the duo’s life-saving​ ​efforts successfully restored a pulse prior to hospital arrival. These actions earned praise from​ Page 3 of 20 ​the Good Samaritan Hospital trauma staff and resulted in a potential nomination for the Joseph​ ​Hartmann Award.​ ​Recognition of Deputy Chief Jim Fitzgerald​ ​Chief Riley recognized Deputy Chief Jim Fitzgerald for successfully completing the Chief Fire​ ​Officer (CFO) designation, noting that Fitzgerald is one of only 216 Chief Fire/EMS Officers in​ ​the nation. Chief Riley commended Fitzgerald’s consistent contributions to EMS coordination​ ​and his leadership in the village’s upcoming accreditation process.​ ​Deputy Chief Fitzgerald addressed the Committee, explaining that the designation involves a​ ​rigorous, peer-reviewed process conducted on a national level. He noted that the achievement​ ​reflects a commitment to professional growth and maintaining high standards for the​ ​Department.​ ​Department Updates​ ​Accreditation​ ​Deputy Chief Fitzgerald reported that the annual compliance report had been officially approved​ ​by the Commission. This approval allows the Department to continue its progress toward full​ ​accreditation in 2027. Discussion followed regarding the incorporation of new personnel, such​ ​as John McIntosh, into the accreditation process for succession planning. It was noted that​ ​despite some initial CAD and MDT issues affecting recorded call times, the raw data remained​ ​sufficient for compliance.​ ​Promotions - Four Lieutenants​ ​Chief Riley introduced the promotion of four individuals to the rank of Lieutenant: Ryan Dudek,​ ​Ryan Sorg, Darren Files, and Ernesto Galvan. It was noted that the promotions followed a​ ​rigorous selection process that commenced in September of the previous year.​ ​In attendance to support the promotions was Chad Hoefle, President of the Illinois Fire Chiefs​ ​Association. Family members of the newly promoted officers were invited forward to participate​ i​n the ceremonial pinning of the badges and collar pins.​ ​New Building Update​ ​Deputy Chief Tom Frank provided an update regarding the new fire station building project,​ ​noting that a contract has been executed with 845 Design Group. He also reported that the​ ​Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process for a construction manager is currently underway.​ ​To ensure public transparency, 845 Design Group will be present at the upcoming Fire Truck​ ​Night with QR codes linking directly to the project’s official webpage. Deputy Chief Frank further​ ​detailed that design meetings have been conducted with various department teams and public​ ​entities, including Public Works and the Police Department, to determine space requirements​ ​and the incorporation of historical elements into the new facility.​ ​Regarding funding, it was reported that while the initial application for a $350,000 State Fire​ ​Marshal grant was unsuccessful, the Department intends to reapply during the next grant cycle.​ ​Staffing and Contract Update​ ​Deputy Chief Fitzgerald provided a staffing overview, reporting that the Fire Department​ ​currently has 67 active personnel, including 36 paramedics. He noted that of the total staff, four​ ​are currently on leave and three are sidelined due to injuries.​ Page 4 of 20 ​Addressing operational challenges, Deputy Chief Fitzgerald highlighted a significant shortage of​ ​contract paramedics. Currently, only seven of the twelve allocated contract positions are active,​ ​with one individual recently departing for a full-time position elsewhere. This has resulted in the​ ​remaining contract staff working extensive hours to maintain coverage.​ ​It was noted that this shortage reflects a nationwide trend, driven largely by smaller paramedic​ ​graduating classes across the country, which continues to impact recruitment and retention​ ​efforts.​ ​Call Volume Update​ ​Deputy Chief Fitzgerald provided a call volume summary, reporting that the Department has​ ​responded to 3,330 calls year-to-date, representing a 1% increase over the previous year. The​ ​Department is currently averaging approximately 420 calls per month.​ ​Specific operational highlights included:​ ​●​ ​Structure Fires: The Department has responded to 83 structure fires both within​ ​Westmont and through mutual aid outside the Village.​ ​●​ ​Medic 184 Performance: Despite significant mechanical challenges and the ongoing​ ​paramedic shortage, Medic 184 successfully responded to 96 calls.​ ​●​ ​Personnel Impact: It was noted that the combination of high call volume, equipment​ i​ssues, and staffing shortages has led to increased stress and physical demands on​ ​Department personnel.​ ​New Medic 183​ ​Deputy Chief Frank reported the successful delivery and in-service placement of the new Medic​ ​183, noting that the vehicle passed all required inspections.​ ​He outlined the Department’s strategic plan to refurbish the existing Medic 184 for use as a​ ​reserve ambulance. This retention will ensure the Village maintains a fleet of four functional​ ​ambulances, providing necessary capacity to manage current call volumes and equipment​ ​redundancies.​ ​Fire Truck Night​ ​Deputy Chief Frank announced that the annual Fire Truck Night is scheduled for Thursday,​ ​August 14, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. He noted the event will be held at a new location on​ ​Cass Avenue, between Norfolk Street and Naperville Road.​ ​The event will feature a variety of community partners and informational booths, including:​ ​●​ ​Dementia Friendly Westmont​ ​●​ ​ACDC (Addison Consolidated Dispatch Center)​ ​●​ ​845 Design Group (providing fire station project updates)​ ​Planned activities include police and fire department displays, bounce houses, and​ ​refreshments such as ice cream and popcorn. The event serves as a key opportunity for public​ ​engagement and department transparency.​ Page 5 of 20 ​Fire Prevention Bureau Compliance: 6410 South Cass​ ​Fire Prevention Bureau Director Berkowitz reported on an ongoing life-safety compliance issue​ ​at 6410 South Cass. He noted that the property owner has failed to complete the required​ ​underground water main installation for the building's sprinkler system, missing the previously​ ​established deadline of September 30, 2023.​ ​While the property owner has obtained the necessary permits and completed the interior system​ i​nstallation, the external connection remains outstanding. The owner has cited contractor​ ​availability and high cost estimates—some as low as $22,000—as reasons for the delay.​ ​Director Berkowitz informed the Committee that the Village Attorney and Liquor Commissioner​ ​are currently evaluating enforcement options to address this non-compliance. These measures​ ​may include the potential revocation of the establishment's gambling and liquor licenses​ ​Zoning Ordinance Update​ ​Director of Community Development Joe Hennerfeind provided a brief overview of the​ ​comprehensive Zoning Ordinance update. It was noted that the update was scheduled for​ ​formal approval at the Village Board meeting following the Fire Public Safety Committee​ ​meeting.​ ​MISCELLANEOUS​ ​There being no other business to discuss, Trustee Liddle motioned to adjourn, to which Trustee​ ​Scales seconded. The meeting subsequently adjourned at 1753 hours.​ ​Respectfully submitted,​ ​Jacqueline Saldivar​ ​Recording Secretary​ Page 6 of 20  Fire Department Headquarters Design Development Progress Meeting March 5, 2026 ▪ Recent milestones ▪ Exterior Materials ▪ Proposed Renderings ▪ Design Development Budgeting ▪ Next Steps Page 7 of 20 RECENT MILESTONES • Consultant coordination meetings with all disciplines (Architecture, Interiors, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, Civil, Landscape Architecture) • Coordination Meetings with Village Staff (Fire Dept., Public Works, Community Development, IT Dept.) • Coordination Meetings with Station Alerting vendor • Submitted for zoning entitlements- on March 11th agenda • Resident Meeting/Outreach at Station 183 on Feb. 17th • Drawing page-turn session with Village Staff and Fire Dept. • Design Development budgeting Page 8 of 20 BUILDING ENCLOSURE: EXTERIOR MATERIALS Replaced 4’x8’ fiber cement panel (charcoal color) with charcoal colored masonry Page 9 of 20 PROPOSED VIEW FROM CASS AVENUE (WITH CHARCOAL BRICK) Page 10 of 20 PROPOSED SOUTH ELEVATION - PUBLIC ENTRY (WITH CHARCOAL BRICK) Page 11 of 20 PROPOSED EAST ELEVATION (WITH CHARCOAL BRICK) Page 12 of 20 PROPOSED NORTH ELEVATION (WITH CHARCOAL BRICK) Page 13 of 20 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT BUDGETING • Level of Detail of the Documents • Estimating / Budgeting Process • Hard Costs vs. Soft Costs • Opportunities & Options Page 14 of 20 DD BUDGET Page 15 of 20 DD BUDGET Page 16 of 20 DD BUDGET Page 17 of 20 DD BUDGET Page 18 of 20 DD BUDGET CONSTRUCTION BUDGET (HARD COSTS) PROJECT BUDGET (HARD + SOFT COSTS) Page 19 of 20 NEXT STEPS • Seeking approval to proceed into Construction Documents Phase • Project Permitting • Subcontractor Bidding & Material Procurement, Establish GMP (Board approval) • Temporary Fire Station • Abatement & Demolition Page 20 of 20