The Southtown Star, a publication of the Sun-Times, is reporting that the village of Dixmoor will be shutting down its fire department as of December 1, 2013. This decision comes amid ongoing financial struggles and a deepening crisis in the small suburb located just south of Chicago.
According to a letter sent by the village attorney to the firefighters' union, the dissolution of the department is official and will take effect on the specified date. The village, which has been facing a budget shortfall of over $1 million, reportedly spends nearly $773,000 annually to maintain its fire department — an amount that represents a third of its total revenue. The department currently employs 20 firefighters, with additional part-time staff.
Mayor Dorothy Armstrong, who was elected earlier this year, has been vocal about the financial challenges facing the village. However, attempts to reach her for comment were unsuccessful. Multiple village employees confirmed the closure, and union representatives expressed frustration over the lack of transparency in the decision-making process.
Tim McDonald, president of Local 73 of the Service Employees International Union, stated that the mayor had been pushing to disband the department for years. He criticized the village board for passing the resolution without allowing public input, calling the process "a joke." McDonald also mentioned that six full-time firefighters had already been laid off before the final decision was made.
In addition to the layoffs, the village plans to outsource fire protection to the Harvey Fire Department and hire a private ambulance service for paramedic support. However, concerns remain about the transition, especially since Harvey’s city council hasn’t scheduled a meeting until December 9, leaving uncertainty about what will happen after November 30.
Dixmoor, with a population of just 3,644 according to the 2010 census, is one of the poorest suburbs in the Chicago area. The median household income is around $38,817, and nearly 35.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The village has a long history of mismanagement and corruption, including scandals involving embezzlement, misuse of funds, and questionable leadership practices.
Earlier this year, there were reports that only three of the five police cars had fuel, and the fire chief complained that his staff wasn’t being paid. These issues have fueled growing distrust among residents, many of whom feel they are not getting value for their taxes.
Firefighters in Dixmoor are reportedly paid between $12 and $13 per hour, making them one of the lowest-paid emergency responders in the region. Despite this, they risk their lives daily to protect the community. McDonald noted that the union recently won a grievance for back pay but has yet to receive the money.
“The people of Dixmoor deserve a functioning fire department,†McDonald said. “What happens if a neighboring department can’t respond because they’re busy elsewhere? And where will the village get the money to pay what they owe?â€
With no officials willing to speak on the record, it's clear that the village is struggling to regain public trust. While some may see the closure as a necessary cost-cutting measure, others question whether the decision reflects the true priorities of the leadership.
For now, the future of fire protection in Dixmoor remains uncertain, and the community is left to wonder whether this is just another example of mismanagement in a town that has long been plagued by financial and political instability.
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