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The *Daily Herald* recently published an article detailing a surprising twist in the city of Des Plaines’ attempt to acquire a new ambulance equipped with a vertical exhaust system, sparking a heated debate among local officials and residents.
Des Plaines had planned to join a small group of suburban communities by purchasing a vertical exhaust ambulance. Supporters on the city council argued that this type of ambulance is safer because it vents diesel fumes upward, rather than at ground level, where firefighters and the public could be exposed. However, not everyone was convinced. Fire Chief Alan Wax and Mayor Matt Bogusz raised concerns, suggesting that the current fleet of horizontal exhaust ambulances already meets safety standards, and that the issue being addressed might not even exist.
As a result, Bogusz requested the council to rescind the purchase. With the vote tied 4-4, he cast the deciding vote to cancel the deal. This move sparked controversy, especially from Fifth Ward Alderman Jim Brookman, a retired firefighter who had strongly supported the vertical exhaust project. Brookman expressed his disbelief that a mayor would ever try to overturn a previous council decision, calling the motion "improper and illegal." He plans to seek a legal opinion from the Illinois Attorney General.
Mayor Bogusz emphasized that the decision wasn’t a policy matter but rather an operational one, and he believes the council should focus more on long-term policies rather than short-term fixes. Despite the council’s approval of the purchase in March, the fire department never actually went through with the buy, citing internal disagreements.
Fire Chief Wax pointed out that modern emission standards have improved air quality, making the current fleet safer. His team also conducted a survey of nearby communities, finding only two—Evanston and Winnetka—with vertical exhaust ambulances. According to industry sources, manufacturers are producing very few such vehicles.
Brookman, however, argued that the city should go above and beyond to protect its firefighters and residents from potential health risks. He referenced studies from the World Health Organization linking diesel fumes to cancer and shared personal stories about firefighters who died from the disease, including his best friend. He stressed that even a small additional cost of $1,500 for a vertical exhaust system was worth it for the sake of safety.
The debate between Brookman and Wax grew intense during a recent meeting. Brookman insisted that firefighters were constantly exposed to diesel fumes, while Wax maintained there was no evidence of fumes entering the ambulance or affecting health. Their exchange highlighted the deep divide over what constitutes a real risk versus a perceived one.
Following the council's rejection of the vertical exhaust model, Bogusz proposed purchasing a standard horizontal exhaust ambulance for $226,229. However, the motion failed to gain support. Fire Chief Wax said the department will revisit the issue at a later date, as they continue their annual replacement schedule for their five active ambulances.
This situation has brought attention to the broader conversation around public safety, budget priorities, and the balance between innovation and practicality in emergency services. It remains to be seen how the city will proceed with its next ambulance purchase.