Antioch rejects fire funding for fourth time

With 16 of 16 precincts reporting, voters have rejected a tax rate increase for the Antioch Township Fire Protection Diswtrict 2,988 to 1,989, according to unofficial totals.

This is the fourth time Antioch Township fire district officials have failed to convince voters to pass a tax rate increase to fund their department.

If passed, the money would have been used to staff a pair of unmanned stations on the outskirts of town. It would have allowed 24-hour firefighter staffing at the stations.

The new funds also would have been used to buy "advanced life support" systems.

If approved, it would have cost about $150 annually for the owner of a $200,000 home.

Fire officials said the response times to emergencies would have dropped dramatically if firefighters were in place at those stations. They say it could be a matter of life or death in some situations.