Concord Township residents casting votes in the Nov. 3 General Election will decide the fate of a new 26-year, $8 million bond issue for constructing, furnishing, and equipping fire station buildings and improving the sites.
Passage of the issue would cost $21 per $100,000 residential property valuation annually, according to the Lake County Auditor’s Office.
Trustee Morgan McIntosh noted the bond issue is important for the safety of Concord’s firefighters as well as the township’s residents.
“Facilities built in the 1960s no longer support Concord Township in 2020,” he said, adding neither facility was intended to house a full-time fire department. “New regulations for fire departments focus on firefighter safety and features to improve response times.
“Concord Fire and EMS personnel are exposed to carcinogens, hazardous materials, as well as contaminants such as airborne viruses, bloodborne pathogens and chemicals,” he added. “The current stations lack facilities to properly decontaminate.”
There are 14,751 voters registered in Concord Township as of Oct. 2, according to the Lake County Elections Board.
McIntosh added eliminating stairs at Station No. 1 makes access to equipment faster and safer, and that both stations utilize more than one building for operations.
“Storing all equipment at each station allows for quicker response during an emergency and also improves the care of township property,” he said. “New facilities will keep our firefighters safer, our fire department more efficient and ultimately keep our residents safer.
“Firefighters do not have enough space to, work and live,” he added. “Daily tasks and work functions are a challenging because spaces to cook, eat, sleep, shower and do laundry are inadequate. The fire department and Concord Township have outgrown these facilities.”
Failure of the levy would delay constructing the new stations, McIntosh said.
“Passage will also provide a positive work environment ensuring Concord attracts the best possible candidates to work for Concord Township Fire Department,” he added.
Originally Published: October 4, 2020 at 8:00 AM EDT