Lombard Public Works calls on Mutual Aid Network

LOMBARD, Illinois—Public Works crews from Woodridge, Rolling Meadows, Des Plaines and McHenry County Highway Department are getting down to work in Lombard this week as part of the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network

Lombard's Public Works Director Carl Goldsmith made the call for assistance to the agency Monday morning, which is made up of Public Works Departments in Illinois. The response has resulted in more than $20,000 benefit to the Village of Lombard as all the labor and equipment provided by the mutual aid departments is provided at no cost to the Village.

“Today there are about 15 workers helping out our crews,” said Goldsmith. “Crews are out collecting brush and hauling it to our disposal sites. Forestry workers are cutting down large tree limbs while others are chipping,” Goldsmith added. “We are very fortunate to be a part of this mutual aid network and are grateful for the assistance we are receiving,” he said.

The Village of Lombard pays annual membership dues of $500 to IPWMAN, which currently has more than 100 members. Mutual aid response is always voluntary and at no charge to the recipient for the first five days. According to Goldsmith, this is the first time that the Village of Lombard has utilized the mutual aid system for assistance but Lombard Public Works responded to help last year after a wind storm in nearby Carol Stream.