Glenview Firefighters Team With Residents to Protest Closing Fire Station

Glenview Firefighters Local 4186

Glenview Firefighters Union Participates in Citizens' Demonstration Opposing Dangerous Station Closure

All Candidates for Village Trustee Speak Out, Urge Caution

Glenview, Illinois: The union representing firefighters and paramedics in Glenview is teaming up with the public to stop the closing of Fire Station 13 at Lake and Wagner in Glenview.

Residents and businesses have placed over 700 signs on their properties supporting the "Save Fire Station 13" cause. Hundreds more signs have been ordered.

Jesse Gallagher, leader of the Glenview Firefighters Local said, "We're the ones out there saving lives in this village and we insist this shortsighted decision is dangerous because it will impact public safety. Response times will be longer."

Gallagher added, "The Village hired a consultant to advise them, and then ignored their own consultants, who recommended against the closure of Station 13."

The Village of Glenview hired public safety consultant Fitch & Associates, who made over a dozen recommendations in their study. None of those recommendations mentioned closing Fire Station 13 or any other facility.

DEMONSTRATION PLANNED FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 6.

Andrew Duffy, a 16-year-old sophomore at Glenbrook South High School, called Village President Jim Patterson to protest the closure. Duffy said, "It didn't really seem like he was open to input from the residents."

Glenview Firefighters praised Duffy and promised to back him up. "In Andrew we've found a bright and courageous young man. He's not working for us. It'™s the other way around," said Jesse Gallagher, president of the Glenview Firefighters.

Duffy will be hosting the demonstration on Saturday, March 6, at 11 a.m. to protest the closing of Fire Station 13. The event will be in front of Fire Station 13 at 831 East Lake Ave in Glenview.

Both slates of candidates for village trustee have spoken out against the move by the board. The Glenview Next Party said, "The residents on the east side of the Village now have cause to worry about how quick a response they will get in an emergency." The Unite Glenview Party candidates urged, "The decision to advance the proposal that could close Fire Station 13 needs to be subjected to a further, more robust community outreach."

"Many of the citizens we're meeting are sick of being ignored by the village board and the village manager's office," said Gallagher.