PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. (25 News) – A significant public safety decision is looming for the village of Peoria Heights.
Leaders from Peoria Heights and the City of Peoria met Tuesday to discuss a proposal to outsource fire services for Peoria Heights to Peoria.
25 News reports that administrators with Peoria Heights reached out to administrators with Peoria about the idea and seeing whether or not a change would help.
“It’s not a shocker of a surprise to see that volunteerism is suffering,” said Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger. “It doesn’t shock me that certain areas or certain villages are struggling with volunteerism.”
Sollberger said at the meeting that Peoria Fire can respond to around 93% of calls in Peoria Heights within four minutes.
The more-than-100 year old volunteer fire department in Peoria Heights could be saved through a state statute. Trustee Matt Wigginton says there’s a law that would not allow governments serving more than 500 people to eliminate fire departments without passing a voter referendum.
“In all of our discussions, we’ve heard it’s either this or that. It’s either you do this and can’t do that,” Wigginton said. “Well, I think we can do both. And frankly, I don’t see another way legally to do it.”
Wigginton believes there is a way to create a model where both Peoria and Peoria Heights Fire Departments can serve the village.
There was no action taken at the meeting, with another meeting expected next month.
