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The *Daily Herald* recently published an article detailing a surprising twist in the city of Des Plaines' decision to purchase a new ambulance. The city had been planning to join a small group of suburban municipalities that use vertical exhaust ambulances—vehicles designed to release diesel fumes higher up, away from firefighters and the public. Supporters of the change, including some members of the city council, argued that this system is safer and reduces exposure to harmful emissions.
However, not everyone was on board. Des Plaines Fire Chief Alan Wax and Mayor Matt Bogusz expressed concerns that the vertical exhaust system might be addressing a problem that doesn’t actually exist. As a result, Bogusz took action by asking the 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 strongly advocated for the vertical exhaust system, criticized the move. He said he couldn’t recall a mayor ever trying to overturn a council decision before. Brookman called the rescission “improper and illegal†and promised to seek an opinion from the Illinois Attorney General.
Mayor Bogusz defended his decision, stating that it wasn’t a policy matter but rather an operational one. “I believe this body needs to stick closer to policy,†he said. Despite the council’s approval of the purchase on March 3, the fire department never actually made the buy.
Fire Chief Wax explained that the current horizontal exhaust fleet meets modern emission standards, which disperse fumes more quickly than in the past. Additionally, a survey of 40 nearby communities found that only two—Evanston and Winnetka—used vertical exhaust systems. According to reports from ambulance manufacturers, vertical exhaust models are rarely sold or produced.
Brookman, however, remained firm in his stance. He argued that Des Plaines should go above and beyond to protect firefighters and the public from potential harm. He cited World Health Organization studies linking diesel fumes to cancer risks and shared personal stories about firefighters who died from the disease, including his best friend.
While adding a vertical exhaust system to an ambulance would cost just $1,500, installing a capture system in fire stations would run into the tens of thousands. This financial aspect became a point of contention during heated discussions between Brookman and Wax.
At a recent meeting, Brookman insisted that firefighters inevitably breathe in diesel fumes when working near the vehicles. “There’s no way to be on the ambulance and not breathe those fumes,†he said. Wax countered that there was no evidence to support that claim, arguing that fumes simply dissipate with the wind.
The debate continued as Brookman pressed the point: “If they’re pumped out the side of the rig, where do they go?†Wax replied, “They go wherever the wind takes them.†Brookman responded, “They come up from the ground and you breathe them if you're standing in the fumes.â€
After the council rejected the vertical exhaust option, Bogusz proposed purchasing a horizontal exhaust ambulance for $226,229. However, the motion didn’t get enough support.
Wax said the fire department will continue its annual replacement schedule and plans to revisit the ambulance purchase at a later date. For now, the city remains divided over whether the new system was necessary—or just a costly misstep.