PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria firefighters at a couple stations will have some different options in terms of equipment with the start of the new year.
Chief Shawn Sollberger says two stations will have what are called “jump crews” — crews that can respond to the scene of a fire with either an engine company, or a truck, depending on need.
“What a ‘jump crew’ means is we still only have three personnel there; we have two separate pieces of apparatus. What we determine, operationally, within our department, which apparatus should go on what call. When an emergency comes in, the crew of Station 3 decides whether it demands an engine, or a truck.”
Truck 3 is a ladder truck, which Sollberger says will be back closer to downtown than in previous years.
At the same time, Station 11 will have a truck capable of hauling water, and a rescue vehicle, with a jump crew also being created.
It’s essentially the same manpower and same equipment — some not used in years, some moving to a new spot, some being used differently.
“We’ve been challenged with the fact, whether it was me sitting in this seat or anybody else, that we have to start thinking differently, being a little bit progressive and thinking outside the box,” said Sollberger. “What we have elected to do is work with the labor group, Local 50, and come up with creative ways where we can increase our capabilities of providing high level of services to the citizens.”
There’s also another big change for the department with the moves.
“This does seal our strategic plan in regards to Advanced Life Support. All twelve of our fire stations will have a paramedic staff 24/7/365. So, we’re very excited about that,” said Sollberger.
Sollberger says staffing will not change, and additional cost to the city will be minimal.
