Des Plaines ambulance controversy

Des Plaines ambulance controversy

The *Daily Herald* recently published a story highlighting an unusual and contentious development in Des Plaines regarding the purchase of a new ambulance. The city was initially planning to acquire one of only a few vertical exhaust ambulances in the suburban area, a move supported by some members of the city council who argued that this type of ambulance is safer due to its ability to release diesel fumes higher up, away from firefighters and the public. However, not everyone was on board with the decision. Des Plaines Fire Chief Alan Wax and Mayor Matt Bogusz expressed concerns, suggesting that the vertical exhaust system was addressing a problem that didn’t actually exist. As a result, Bogusz took the unusual step of asking the city council to rescind the purchase. His vote broke a 4-4 tie, officially canceling the deal. Fifth Ward Alderman Jim Brookman, a retired firefighter who had been a strong advocate for the vertical exhaust system, criticized the move. He stated that he couldn’t recall a mayor ever attempting to overturn a previous council decision. Brookman claimed the rescission was improper and potentially illegal, and he plans to seek a legal opinion from the Illinois Attorney General. Mayor Bogusz defended his decision, saying it wasn’t a policy matter but rather an operational choice. “This isn’t about policy; it’s about sticking to what’s necessary,” he said. “I believe we should focus more on policy decisions.” Despite the council’s initial approval of the purchase on March 3, the fire department did not proceed with the actual acquisition. Fire Chief Wax explained that there was no evidence of a problem with the current horizontal exhaust fleet, noting that newer vehicles are designed to disperse emissions more efficiently. A survey of 40 nearby communities showed that only two, Evanston and Winnetka, used vertical exhaust systems, and manufacturers reported limited demand for such units. Brookman, however, argued that Des Plaines needed to take extra precautions to protect both firefighters and the public from the health risks associated with diesel fumes. He cited World Health Organization studies linking diesel emissions to cancer and shared personal stories of firefighters who died from the disease, including his best friend. While adding a vertical exhaust system to an ambulance would cost just $1,500, retrofitting fire stations with capture systems would run into the tens of thousands. During a heated debate at the council meeting, Brookman and Wax clashed over whether the current system posed a real threat. Brookman insisted that firefighters and the public were regularly exposed to harmful fumes, while Wax maintained that there was no evidence of such exposure. Their back-and-forth highlighted the deep divide over the issue. After the council rejected the vertical exhaust option, Bogusz proposed purchasing a standard horizontal exhaust ambulance for $226,229. However, the motion failed to gain enough support. Wax said the fire department will revisit the purchase at a later date, as they continue their annual replacement schedule with five ambulances currently in service. It's clear that this debate reflects broader tensions between safety concerns and fiscal responsibility, with each side convinced they're acting in the best interest of the community.

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