Crime & Safety

Fire Protection District Forced to Lease Gear

Laid off Village of Barrington firefighters hired to work for the now independent Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District were not permitted to bring their individually-fitted gear with them.

At the start of the new year, the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District (BCFPD) found itself without gear for the laid off firefighters that were hired from the Barrington Fire Department as a result of district splitting from the department to begin independent operations as of Jan. 1, reported the Daily Herald.

The district's decision to split with the village was made after negotiations to renew an existing agreement hit a stalemate due to differences over adding personnel and additional firefighting equipment, reported Patch.

When the split went into effect as of midnight on Jan. 1, the transitioning firefighters weren't permitted to bring their individually-fitted gear with them to their new position because they were hired through a private contractor, even though the gear had been co-owned by the fire district and department, according to the Daily Herald. Both sides cite miscommunication.

In the meantime, the fire district will lease gear for its new hires until new gear arrives in the spring, according the Daily Herald.

The fire district has pledged to assist the village whenever possible through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) now that it no longer has an automatic aid agreement with the village, reported Patch.


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