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Barrington chief questions fire district response
The Daily Herald recently published an article highlighting growing tensions between the Barrington Fire Department and the newly established Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District. The conflict stems from a recent house fire that occurred just outside of Barrington's border, raising questions about coordination and response times between the two departments.
Barrington Fire Chief Jim Arie publicly criticized the procedures used by the Barrington Countryside Fire District during the April 9 fire at 1025 S. Grove St. He claimed that his department could have reached the scene in under three minutes, compared to the five minutes and 34 seconds it took for the first engine from the Countryside district to arrive. The distance from Barrington’s station was less than two miles, while the Countryside engine had to travel over 3.5 miles.
Arie emphasized the critical nature of time in firefighting, stating that fires can double in size every minute. He noted that the fire started in the garage but had already fully engulfed the home by the time Countryside firefighters arrived. "It's extremely unusual for neighboring departments not to collaborate during emergencies," he said, expressing concern over the impact on public safety.
In response, Barrington Countryside Fire Chief Jeffrey Swanson defended his team’s actions, stating that their prompt response helped prevent approximately $200,000 in property damage. He explained that emergency dispatchers typically follow pre-established aid agreements, which determine which departments are notified first in case of an incident.
According to Swanson, the Barrington Fire Department is not listed as one of the first responders when a fire occurs south of Lake-Cook Road. Instead, agencies in Carpentersville, East Dundee, Hoffman Estates, Cary, and Long Grove are contacted first. However, Barrington is included in the second group of responding departments.
Swanson added that while the current call list is satisfactory, the district is open to reviewing and updating it if necessary. "If we need to change it, we will change it," he said, indicating a willingness to improve inter-departmental cooperation.
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about communication and collaboration between fire districts, with both sides seeking to ensure that future emergencies are handled more efficiently and effectively. The situation underscores the importance of clear protocols and mutual support in emergency services.
Thanks, Dan.