Cash-strapped fire district gets some help

By Sara Faiwell
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Sunday, July 09, 2006

 

A new fundraising arm is under way for the Palatine Rural Fire Protection District.

Although it's been in the works for about a year, the Inverness Fire and EMS Foundation made its first public appearance July 4 at the Inverness parade.

 

Their first order of business? To raise enough money and buy an AutoPulse, a cardiac support pump. The pump will costs about $15,000.

 

The foundation was formed last year by supporters of the rural fire department as a way to give back to the community. Now, it's in full swing, trying to drum up money to buy equipment for the department, which has had a budget deficit for several years. The department asked residents for a tax rate increase five times, and it wasn't until last year that voters approved the measure.

 

"Right now, due to the deficit, we only approve the necessary, operational things," firefighter Frank Giovannelli said. "The referendum didn't fix us, it just slowed down the bleeding."

 

That's where the foundation comes in. The goal by this year is to raise $20,000. Once the AutoPulse is purchased, the group is looking to buy two new thermal-imaging cameras, which reduces time required to search a burning building for fire victims.

 

"We're really just getting together for a common cause," said Chris McMillin, foundation director. "We want to have the best for our department."

 

Local response has already proven to be fruitful. The foundation has raised more than $9,000 so far, including a $4,000 donation by Midwest Bank and Trust, the only bank in Inverness. The group is looking for donations from Barrington, Inverness, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Hoffman Estates, which they say all have an interest in supporting the district.