2023 Efficiency Report Revision 4 - Flipbook - Page 17
mandatory criteria within those categories. Furthermore, the District is only the
second Fire District in Illinois to have received this award. The GFOA award
demonstrates excellent efficiency and accountability of the District9s finances.
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Station 1 Remodel (2022-2023): To maintain the highest level of service, the
District renovated Station 1 this past year. The District was fiscally responsible
during these renovations, staying within the agreed-upon budget and maximizing
the use of grant opportunities. Furthermore, updates were made to the bay floor,
living quarters, and administrative wing, increasing the station's efficiency. These
updates include but are not limited to, added COVID-19 measures, increased
office space, more extensive ventilation, a room equipped for nursing mothers,
and airtight barriers between the bay floor and living quarters. This last measure
is a cancer-preventative and is immensely important to the prolonged health and
safety of District employees.
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Fuel Depot (2022): In 2022, the District developed a fuel center and began
purchasing fuel through Al Warren Oil Company. This shift has resulted in
significant cost savings and allows the District to make more efficient use of the
annual budget.
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EMS Billing Contract (2021): In 2021, the District made a switch from Paramedic
Billing Services (PBS) to Andres Medical Billing (AMB) with the goal of cost
efficiency. After switching from PBS to AMB, the District9s collection rate
decreased from 5% to 3.5%. Additionally, in 2019, Ground Emergency Medical
Transport (GEMT) funds were enacted in Illinois via legislation. PBS9 contract
signified that they would collect commission from all GEMT money accumulated
by the District. Once 50% of the funds collected are distributed to the State of
Illinois, the commission from the State funds is reimbursed to the District every
quarter. In contrast, AMB did not, and does not, take commission from any
GEMT money collected by the District up front. As a result, the switch to AMB
has led to a more efficient use of the annual budget.
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Training (2019): The District prides itself on highly trained certified and licensed
Firefighter/Paramedics. In order to be efficient and effective on the fire ground,
members must be trained and equipped to handle emergency situations. The
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