This is an important public safety informational message for you and your family from our Village President Dr. Gopal Lalmalani.
In response to misinformation in the community, residents have contacted me for clarification.
As of Thursday, April 1, 2021, the Oak Brook Fire Department’s Paramedic Ambulance service is staffed by full time, accredited, advance life support fire fighters. 7 Firefighter/Paramedics will be on duty per shift with 4 Firefighter/Paramedics for our 2 ambulances and 3 Firefighter/Paramedics for any fire call which will need our truck to assist. No salaries have been cut and no unionized fire fighters have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced. Ambulance services will remain unchanged. Our two ambulance services will continue.
Before April 1, 2021, non-union paramedic contractors hired from an outside agency staffed our ambulance calls. Now, our own firefighters are directly operating both of our ambulances. No ambulance has been taken out of service.
In 2020, our ambulances accomplished 1,270 emergency calls, and 1,029 of those calls responded to emergency medical incidents not involving a car accident. According to State reports filed by our Fire Department, the specialized fire suppression equipment in a fire truck has never once been activated during an ambulance call. We expect the same need for ambulances this year.
The Oak Brook Fire Department is fully staffed to deliver the same ambulance service according to national fire industry response standards, in full compliance with State reporting, and as directed by the DuComm 911 dispatch service that serves many of our surrounding communities. If our ambulances are busy with calls, our mutual aid system will be available to supplement any life safety emergency within the Village. The health and safety of our residents is our first priority, and in no way are ambulance service levels being reduced or compromised. As a Village President and a doctor, the health and safety of our residents is my primary concern. If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to reach out to me at the Village Hall or email me.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Gopal Lalmalani