Manhattan Fire Protection District Chief Steve Malone reported to the fire board on September 15 that a four-way stop sign will be installed at the intersection of County Line Road and Rt. 50 in Peotone Township by the end of the year.
The high-traffic intersection has become increasingly dangerous and the scene of several fatalities over the years. Malone reported there have been 17 auto accidents this year alone. One fatality recently occurred in August at that intersection.
Malone explained the decision to add a stop sign came out of a productive meeting with Sen. Patrick Joyce, D-Essex, and Rep. Jackie Haas, R-Kankakee, IDOT, and Will County Department of Transportation.
Multiple calls for a traffic signal have come from the community, including Peotone officials, with some community members even starting an online petition. The fire district also has been advocating for change at this intersection and along Wilmington-Peotone Road.
Malone explained that from what he was advised during the meeting, the plan is for there to be a light within two to three years, and the state is in the process of surveying, land acquisition and other preparations.
“Sen. Joyce and Rep. Haas heard us. Obviously, they called the meeting and said we have to move something along because this is getting out of control,” Malone explained.
While the four-way stop is a step in the right direction, the fire district isn’t letting up.
“This is not going to stop the conversations about Peotone Road because I think we’ve been there 118 times in five years, but this was a very good meeting,” Malone said.
Lack of CPR Major Concern
Deputy Chief Dave Piper provided his report on the district, noting the district has improved its pushout time. They still are averaging about 100 calls per month each for Stations 81 and 83.
Of particular note, Piper reported there were three cardiac arrest calls within the district last month.
Overwhelmingly, they still are finding that people are not doing CPR prior to EMS arrival.
He explained the district and Fire and Life Safety Educator Jackie Palkovitz are working hard to educate the public on the importance of doing CPR. In the last month, Palkoviz reported the district certified 56 people in CPR.
For every minute that CPR is not done following a cardiac arrest, the person loses 10 percent survivability. Considering the total “hello-to-hello” response time for the fire district is currently about 10 minutes, this means that a person’s likelihood of survival is minimal, underscoring the importance of CPR.
The “hello-to-hello” time is the 90th percentile time that begins when dispatch answers the 911 phone call and ends when EMS arrives on scene.
Also with regard to significant incidents, Piper reported two motor vehicle accidents with extrication at County Line and Rt. 50 in the past month. There was also one fire as a result of a storm.
The Will County Fair was a success with a unified command and nine total incidents at the fair, with 10 or fewer first aid contacts each day of the fair.
Piper also noted the entire area is getting busier, as indicated by the number of mutual aid calls and the number of times mutual aid has to pass because they are already responding to calls.
Fire District Audit Result: Highest Opinion
Monica Adamski of independent auditing firm Lauterbach and Amen, LLP, reviewed the audit report for Fiscal Year 2024 with the board.
“This year, the district did receive an unmodified opinion that is the cleanest form of opinion and the highest level of assurance that we can give,” Adamski reported to the board, noting there were no issues and the reporting reflected sound internal financial controls.
Distinct Accountant James Howard also was present and offered a review of the treasurer’s report and the district’s finances, which he reported were in good standing.
Fire District Sells Bonds, Engages Investment Firm
The fire district also approved an ordinance for a bond sale to finance the new fire station. The bond sale was managed by Speer Financial and sold at open auction for $8.490 M, which will close on October 7. The sale of the bonds at open auction resulted in a 4.1276 percent interest rate.
The Sawyer Falduto Asset Management group will manage the bond proceeds. John Falduto was present at the meeting to go over any last-minute questions from the board.
The construction of the new fire station is underway, and the district anticipates the foundation will be poured within the week following the board meeting.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.