20100317 PR - Village cancels contract with Paramedic Services Inc (PSI)Contact Julie Schaefer 1200 Oak Brook Drive
Phone: (312)399-7614 Oak Brook, IL 60523
Julie.schaefer@winningpresence.corn
Village o, f Oak Brook commits to invest in and develop its oum Paramedic Staff.
Oak Brook, Illinois ( March 17, 20 10) — The Village Board of the Village of Oak Brook has exercised its
intent to cancel its contract with Northlake-based Paramedic Services Incorporated (PSI), a move that will save
residents and taxpayers more than $350,000 per year. After review, Village leadership determined it could offer
better, more efficient services by investing in its own public safety experts that span the Oak Brook Fire
Department and Oak Brook Police Department. This move invests in its own staff, and removes the annual
fiscal burden of using outside resources to support public safety.
Village Manager, David Niemeyer, said, "We are happy that we can cut costs and continue to offer our Village
residents, businesses and visitors efficient safety solutions. We have found a way to continue to offer excellent
services and, at the same time, save money. It's just smart government."
The Village of Oak Brook already offers residents premier safety services. For instance, 2$ of 32 full-time Oak
Brook fire fighters are certified paramedics, ready to help and offer high quality safety assistance to those who
live, work and visit Oak Brook. Collectively, these safety experts have more than 630 state, federal and
educational certifications related to fire rescue and emergency medical services. Their average experience in
Oak Brook is nearly 13 years, so they know the Village well. In addition, the Village's police department has 43
staff certified in defibrillator and CPR training, significant since that they are often the first ones to respond to
an emergency call.
"Realizing the exceptional talent we have right now in Oak Brook, we are using our existing talent, investing in
them, and continuing to look at ways to improve our safety services ," said Niemeyer.
Beginning in June, when the PSI contract ends, the Village will have a minimum of eight firefighter and
paramedics staffed to serve its two stations during all shifts. At least one ambulance will be staffed to answer
emergency medical calls.
The Village's investment in safety goes beyond in-house training and smart decision-making. Chief McEllin
will be upgrading an engine to advance life support capabilities.
In addition, the Fire Department continues to develop progressive programs that enhances its reputation as a
leader in fire and emergency medical services. Recently, a wireless fire alarm system was developed that will
decrease the number of false alarms in the village and reduce the need for emergency responses from the fire
department.
These changes come alter a staffing review by outside fire safety analysts, McGrath Consulting Group. The
Village will further review staff needs at its March 23 board meeting. McGrath staff will also discuss its fire
staffing report at that time. Also, the consensus of the Board on the PSI contract is subject to further discussion
and review at this meeting.
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About the Village of Oak Brook:
Founded in 1958, the Village of Oak Brook is located 20 miles west of downtown Chicago and is in proximity
to the junction of Interstates 88, 294, and 290. The Village consists mostly of residential subdivisions, with the
exception of the Oak Brook Center shopping mall, other retail and office properties along 22nd Street and
Interstate 88. Oak Brook is the home of many corporate offices, most notably, the world headquarters of
McDonald's Corporation and the service club organization Lions Clubs International. Oak Brook is also
known for being one of the few municipalities in the Chicago area that do not levy a property tax on residents
or businesses.