Wait continues for new emergency services provider

Unlike the emergency personnel they want to hire, Fox River Countryside Fire/Rescue trustees are in no hurry. They decided Tuesday night that more time is needed before they are ready to name a new 911 responder.

The district was formerly known as the St. Charles Countryside Fire Protection District.

Residents in St. Charles Township, Wayne and Campton Hills will wait another week to find out who their new emergency services provider will be come May 1. District President Jim Gaffney said he wanted to delay the selection until next week to allow an advisory committee more time to evaluate proposals.

It appears Metro Paramedic Services will not be part of that ongoing evaluation.

The committee repeatedly referred to Metro Paramedic Services' proposal as “ambiguous” Monday night. Gaffney said the committee needs more time to clarify some points in the proposals from American Emergency Services and the city of St. Charles.

That means the district's current emergency services provider, St. Charles, is still in the running to win the contract.

District officials did not announce specifically where or when the meeting will occur next week.

Trustees have committed to naming a new provider by Feb. 1.