Barrington Countryside FPD news (more)

Residents and school officials in Barrington are raising concerns over the proposed location of a new fire station for the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District. The site, which is just a short distance from two local schools, has sparked worries about increased traffic and noise.

The fire district recently purchased an acre of land on 36 E. Dundee Road, including an existing home, between Barrington Middle School – Prairie Campus and the Early Learning Center. The property was acquired for $500,000 with plans to convert it into a third fire station, though operations would be limited compared to other stations.

School administrators at District 220 are worried about potential traffic congestion during drop-off and pick-up times, as well as the impact of sirens on younger students. They had initially considered buying the property themselves to help ease traffic flow between the two buildings. However, the fire district’s proposal has raised new questions about how the station will operate in such a sensitive area.

According to the fire protection district, the new station won’t house traditional fire trucks but may include administrative offices and sleeping quarters for on-duty firefighters. Instead, they plan to use an SUV equipped with life support systems for emergency medical calls, especially those involving heart attacks and strokes, which account for roughly 85% of their responses.

“The key to treating heart attacks and strokes is getting two people on scene quickly to start CPR or appropriate treatment,” said Keith Hanson, board president of the fire district. To address concerns, the district has agreed to limit the use of the SUV to about two calls per day and only use sirens when absolutely necessary.

Fire Chief Jim Kreher emphasized that the new station will improve response times across the 48-square-mile district, helping both residents and neighboring fire departments in Barrington and Palatine. While the station is currently planned for limited operations, Hanson noted that there could be future expansion if needed.

The fire district has allocated $2 million to upgrade the site and open it by spring, signaling a commitment to improving emergency services in the area while trying to balance the needs of the local community.