Illinois Valley News

Volunteer firefighters with the Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) will be having plenty of sleep-overs at its headquarters on Caves Hwy. under a newly instituted program.

Deputy Chief Jeff Gavlik spoke about the program during the 25-minute Thursday, Jan. 14 meeting of the IVFD Board of Directors.

“It“s a trial run right now,“ Gavlik said. “We“ll see as time goes on how it works out.“

Gavlik said that IVFD has started having two-person crews stay at headquarters from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. He stated after the meeting that the intentions are to help decrease response times at all district stations and sharpen volunteers“ skills.

The firefighters sleep in three bedrooms located above headquarters, and share space with personnel from American Medical Response.

Gavlik said that IVFD will test the program at headquarters first, and may expand it to the Selma station if it is successful.

But at this point, Gavlik said, IVFD lacks the personnel to implement the program at multiple stations.

The program won“t incur any immediate costs for the district, Gavlik said, as points are assigned to volunteers to reimburse them for responding to emergencies.

“There is not any additional impact on our budget,“ he said.

Participation is strictly voluntary, Gavlik added, stating that it is limited only to the firefighters who can turn out to take part in the program.

In other matters:

• The IVFD board voted 5-0 to annex property at 140 Jackadel Lane.
• Gavlik briefed the board on the district“s firefighter recruitment drive. He said that IVFD received eight applications for volunteers and has started training them. However, three have since dropped out.
• Andrea Steelman and Chris Arnold were sworn in to begin their support duties for the O“Brien station. Steelman will handle medical support, while Arnold will aid in tender operations.

IVFD“s next board meeting is set for Feb. 11.

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