Glenview Firefighters Upset By Ambulance Reduction

GLENVIEW, Ill. (CBS) -- Firefighters in north suburban Glenview are speaking out against a plan that would take one of the village's ambulances out of service for half the day.

Glenview firefighters, represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4186, are protesting against a plan to take the ambulance at Fire Station 8, 1901 Landwehr Rd., out of service from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., when staffing levels at the station are below minimum requirements.

While the village says budget constraints necessitate the move, firefighters say taking an ambulance out of service for part of the day could be detrimental to people in need of emergency care.

"Residents of our village have come to expect – rightfully – a high standard of fire and emergency response service," Local 4186 acting president Michael Carnes said in a news release. "Taking an ambulance out of service is unacceptable, especially in light of the concessions our firefighters have offered."

The ambulance serves several nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the area, the union said in a news release.

The union says it has presented a list of concessions to village officials to make sure the ambulance stays in service 24 hours a day.