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The *Daily Herald* recently published an article discussing a new fire safety commission in Antioch, aimed at exploring ways to improve cooperation and potentially consolidate emergency services for both the village and the unincorporated township of Antioch. The initiative comes as local leaders recognize the need for a more streamlined and efficient system.
Residents in Antioch and Antioch Township are served by four separate fire and rescue agencies: the First Fire Protection District of Antioch, the Antioch Rescue Squad, the Antioch Volunteer Fire Department, and Superior Ambulance Service. These organizations cover a 37-square-mile area with about 28,000 residents. However, the current structure has led to confusion, with overlapping responsibilities and service areas that are not always clear.
Local officials believe the system is ripe for reform. A newly formed fire safety commission, composed of representatives from the village, township, and fire district, has been tasked with evaluating the situation and proposing solutions that are both effective and cost-efficient. Village Administrator Jim Keim and Fire Chief John Nixon are among the members of this commission.
The complexity of the current setup stems from historical disputes, unclear ownership of resources, and evolving needs in emergency response. For example, the First Fire Protection District serves unincorporated areas, while the Antioch Volunteer Fire Department operates within the village. Fire calls are split roughly 65% in the village and 35% in the township. Equipment and personnel are often shared between agencies, further complicating the picture.
Chief Nixon explained that most fire stations, equipment, and trucks are co-owned by the fire district and the village. The volunteer department also provides manpower for fires in unincorporated areas. Rescue services are divided between the Antioch Rescue Squad in the township and Superior Ambulance in the village. Nixon, who stepped down as fire district chief earlier this year, still plays an active role in both the fire district and the volunteer department.
To address these issues, the commission is considering four potential options:
1. Transfer control of all agencies to the fire district, expanding its board to include village-appointed members.
2. Expand the village fire department to cover both the village and the township, taking over most of the fire district's responsibilities.
3. Create two separate entities: a full-time village fire department and a full-time township fire district.
4. Maintain the current system and continue pooling resources.
One of the biggest challenges involves the future of the Antioch Rescue Squad, which has served the community since 1938. In May, the squad decided to stop providing services in the village after failing to reach a contract agreement with the village board. Tensions had risen following a sexual harassment lawsuit in 2012, which led to state fines and operational changes. A subsequent theft case involving the former treasurer added to the instability, prompting leadership changes.
Currently, the rescue squad works under a one-year contract with the fire district for unincorporated areas, while Superior Ambulance covers the village. Nixon acknowledged that consolidation could lead to the end of the rescue squad, but he emphasized the need for a solution that benefits residents.
Brian DeKind, the current chief of the Antioch Rescue Squad, expressed support for the discussion, acknowledging that multiple scenarios could unfold before a final decision is made. “I’m certainly in favor of doing what’s best for the people of Antioch,†he said.
This effort isn’t entirely new. A 2008 study by the Illinois Fire Chief’s Association recommended consolidating the Antioch Volunteer Fire Department, the Rescue Squad, and the First Fire Protection District, but the plan was never implemented. Now, with renewed interest and a dedicated commission, there’s hope that a more unified and efficient system can finally be achieved.
Thanks, Dan.
June 25, 2025