District officials: “Save Custer” not the message we want to send

A sign pleading to “save Custer Fire Department” from a takeover by the Braidwood Fire Protection District has gone up in front of the Custer Park fire house on Route 113.

But, officials in Custer Township said that’s not the consensus of the fire protection district’s board of directors.

The Custer Fire Protection District (CFPD) and the Braidwood Fire Protection District (BFPD) are currently in discussions to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that would hand operations of the Custer district over to Braidwood.

But despite what the sign says, members of the CFPD said the sentiment does not reflect the ongoing discussions with Braidwood.

“The sign needs to come down,” said board member Mikey Newbrough. “It’s just a belief of some people. There is no hostile takeover.”

Newbrough said after the sign went up last weekend, it was removed, only to be placed back in front of the fire house. He said that while he appreciates that some people might feel that way, putting it on township property is inappropriate.

“They are not forcing us to do anything, it’s not the consensus of the board,” Newbrough said about the BFPD. “As a board, we’re trying to weigh our options and do what’s best for the community.”

Custer Park ceased operations in 2013 when the former Custer Fire Department, Inc., a private entity, became defunct. Following the closure, Custer retained services from Braidwood, but in 2018 passed a referendum to allow Custer Township to reopen the fire protection district in May of 2019.

Initially, Custer entered an agreement with Riverside EMS for ambulance and paramedic services, but that contract expired last fall. While Custer has an ambulance, it has not yet been approved by the state for transport, although that application is pending. CFPD currently operates under a non-transport license, which allows the district to provide emergency medical care until an ambulance from a neighboring district arrives.

Talks with Braidwood about an IGA or a potential merger began late last year.

While the IGA is still in draft form, the agreement would pass 100% of the tax revenue taken in by the Custer Fire Protection District to Braidwood, and CFPD will sell off all assets that Braidwood does not need or want, liquidate those assets, and forward those monies to Braidwood.

Per the draft IGA, Braidwood would keep Custer’s ambulance.

If approved, the departments would like to move ahead with the terms of the IGA as of August.

The draft puts the length of the agreement at five years, at which time the agreement will be reevaluated, and the two departments could possibly merge. A merger could generate taxpayer savings by reducing duplicate costs, such as dispatch and insurance.

Newbrough added that the board wants to hear from the public, which is why a town meeting has been scheduled for later this month. Residents will hear the details of the plan and get a chance to weigh in before the final vote on the IGA.

“What Braidwood has offered is fair and on paper looks pretty good,” Newbrough said. “So, we’re just doing our due diligence.”

The Custer Fire town meeting takes place on Monday, July 17 at 6 p.m. in the gymnasium of the Custer Park school. The public is encouraged to attend.