Media Release
Friday, May 14, 2010
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Agreement Creates a Combined Ambulance Unit without Impacting Budgets
NAPERVILLE, Ill.— The City of Naperville and the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District (LWFD) are proud to announce they have entered into a cost-neutral and innovative agreement that allows personnel from both agencies to staff a combined ambulance unit. This ambulance will serve residents who live east of Charles Avenue in Naperville and north of 75th Street, as well as two additional portions of the LWFD. A press conference discussing this agreement will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 19 at Lisle-Woodridge Fire District Station 4, 2505 Green Trails Drive, Lisle.
“The safety and well-being of our residents is the city’s top priority,” Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis said. “This is a win-win situation for Naperville residents as well as those served by the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District. When we share resources, we can improve response times and emergency services in critical situations where seconds can make the difference between life and death.”
The shared ambulance unit is only staffed and in service on days when the Naperville Fire Department and the LWFD each have one firefighter/paramedic above their minimum staffing levels. The minimum staffing number is based on the number of employees needed to staff each emergency vehicle and takes into account scheduled time off and illness. The firefighter/paramedic from each agency comes together to staff the ambulance, which is housed at Lisle-Woodridge Station 4. Naperville and the LWFD will rotate providing the ambulance unit.
“Emergencies know no geographic boundaries,” Lisle-Woodridge Fire District Chief Thomas Freeman said. “We must provide the highest-skilled response to our residents in their time of need, and we consistently work to improve the services we offer. By sharing resources with our neighboring community, we are working together to provide the highest level of safety to all of our residents.”
The intergovernmental agreement was approved by the Naperville City Council on April 20 and the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District on March 23.
May 16-22 is National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, which brings together communities and medical personnel to publicize safety and honor those who provide day-to-day lifesaving services. More information about this week is available at www.acep.org/practres.aspx?id=30212.
For more information on the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us. For more information on the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District, visit www.lwfd.org/.
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About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 145,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several city boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned living history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.
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