Firefighters will relocate to Rosemont when Des Plaines firehouse is replaced

The proposed demolition and replacement of a fire station on Des Plaines’ south side will see some firefighters make Rosemont their temporary base of operations.

The Des Plaines City Council on Monday approved an agreement with Rosemont that will allow the crew members and vehicles normally at Des Plaines Station No. 62 to use Rosemont’s Station No. 2 for at least one year. Rosemont approved the agreement Sept. 8.

The agreement ensures uninterrupted fire and emergency medical coverage in southern Des Plaines during the eventual construction of a new Station No 62, Fire Chief Matt Matzl said in a memo.

Rosemont won’t charge Des Plaines for the service.

Des Plaines has three fire stations: Station No. 61 at 405 S. River Road, on the city’s east side; Station No. 62 at 1313 E. Oakton St., on the city’s south side; and station No. 63 at 130 E. Thacker St., on the city’s west side.

Rosemont’s Station No. 2 is at 10073 W. Higgins Road, near the center of town.

At 70 years old, the one-story No. 62 is the oldest of the city’s stations.

Matzl has proposed the city construct a larger, two-story Station No. 62 and a new firehouse — to be called Station No. 64 — on Central Road, on the city’s north side.

Construction could be done in stages, Matzl told the city council in June, starting with Station No. 62 in 2026. The following year, firefighters would move into the new station and construction would begin on Station No. 64, with a 2028 completion date planned.

Building a much larger Station No. 62 and not a fourth station also is an option.

The construction projects would be funded with cash reserves.

The council hasn’t decided which option it will approve, if either. Officials will discuss fire department facility and staffing plans during future budget talks.