The Beecher Fire Protection District has issued its 2025 annual report, indicating it responded to 1,165 emergency incidents throughout its 56-square-mile district.
Among the district’s calls for service, the report found that 60.86 percent were for emergency medical calls, underscoring the importance of EMS to the district’s all-hazards capabilities. Of particular note, the report indicated the district’s cardiac save rate, 16.67 percent, is above the national average of 10.2 percent.
The comprehensive report included detailed information regarding the district’s fleet, its operations, financials, and staffing. Also included in the report are images of the district’s apparatus, its fire station before and after renovations, leadership, board of trustees, and numerous charts illustrating performance metrics.
Chief Joe Falaschetti highlighted some key points at the district’s monthly board of trustees meeting and advised the board that residents have expressed concern about the hospital situation after being made aware of the potential reduction in available hospitals capable of treating trauma patients.
“The timeline is still the same on transitioning to a behavioral health facility, which was the third quarter of 2027, but with that facility being our closest hospital now, we’re looking at doubling our transport time,” Falaschetti explained of the upcoming changes at Franciscan Dyer Hospital.
“Then looking at our average call length, there is going to be a significant increase that’s going to strip the district of half of our staffing for longer periods of time,” Falaschetti said.
With Franciscan Dyer transitioning to a behavioral health facility, the district would have to transport patients to other hospitals farther away, many of which are already at capacity, such as the hospital in Olympia Fields. The Olympia Fields hospital, currently part of the Franciscan network of hospitals, recently was acquired by Prime Health.
Prime Health acquired eight other area hospitals from Ascension last year. Prime made changes that consolidated and eliminated trauma services at some of the hospitals it acquired, notably, eliminating the Level II trauma designation at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee. There have been no announcements indicating a change in level of service at Olympia Fields, however.
The district will review its future staffing plans and, if necessary, adjust them to maintain service levels.
After the report was distributed to the board of trustees, it was approved for publication. Those wishing to review it may do so at the fire station, 711 Penfield Street, where it will be on display from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. It also is available on the district’s website.
From Falaschetti’s report, he advised he has made numerous contacts with the state legislators who oversee the district regarding the intersection of County Line Road and Illinois Rt. 1, which was recently the site of another fatal accident. He is hopeful a meeting will facilitate a productive discussion on safety improvements.
With regard to grants, the district officially received an Earthrise Energy Grant for the remainder of the cost of the brush truck, in the amount of $38,640. Falashchetti also informed the board they have applied to the Office of the State Fire Marshal small tool grant to help fund new Stryker power stretchers. The district’s current power stretchers are nearing their end of life and will need to be replaced soon.
Deputy Chief Michael Heusing updated the board about progress on the brush truck, training, and fleet updates. Heusing also is working on recertifying as a credentialed NFPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor for Fixed Facility and will be attending the Leadership Development and Decision Making for Chief Officers’ class in Champaign this March.
Assistant Chief Tim McGannon advised in his monthly report there are many instances in which the elderly are being targeted by financial scammers.
McGannon explained he discovered one of the district’s patients, with whom he was following up, was the victim of a financial scam that wiped out his personal savings. The emotional stress had taken a significant toll on his health and well-being, McGannon explained.
He has developed a trifold educational brochure to help the elderly become aware of the scams and tactics used to defraud them, plus also provide clear guidance on what to do if they have been scammed. It will be made available to residents at community outreach and educational events, as well as provided to those with whom the district follows up.
In other news, Accountant James Howard reviewed the district’s finances, which are in good shape. Attorney John Motylinski reviewed some legislative updates he’s watching in this session of Congress, one pertaining to the age of recruits and another that would give trustees a raise. He noted the last time fire board trustees were given a raise was in 1989.
With regard to the district’s healthcare insurance costs, Falaschetti reported costs are up 18 percent in the district, which he reported as actually a low increase.
“I’ve been seeing 35-to-40 percent increases in other districts I represent,” Howard explained.
The board voted to renew its healthcare insurance offerings for full-time staff, adding a new option that includes an HSA.
Additionally, it appears the continuous problems with the fire station’s roof are being addressed by the contractor. The board held an emergency meeting at the end of January to approve funding to fix the trusses above the apparatus bay, and the work is underway. It also will include reinforcing the trusses above the sleeping quarters.
The board ratified that cost at the February 26 meeting after FGM Architects Executive Vice President Andy Jasek advised the board they would cover all the costs associated with remedying the situation.
“I’m here tonight to assure you any of these structural issues that have taken place, we will have them covered,” Jasek said at the meeting.
“You will not have to pay for any of that — any of the structural, the insulation — the chief laid out all the costs. We appreciate you’re making payments to get the process going quicker, and how we settle it with our team would be on us,” Jasek added.
Trustee Mike Waterman asked for the cost guarantee to be put in writing, which Jasek obliged that they would. The district’s attorney exchanged cards with Jasek.