Neighbors Don't Take Advantage Of Elmhurst: Chief

ELMHURST, IL – The Elmhurst Fire Department responds to calls outside its limits more often than it receives help from its neighbors, a city official said Monday.

But the difference is not significant, Fire Chief Bill Anaszewicz told the City Council.

During a budget presentation, the chief was asked about the mutual aid that Elmhurst provides its neighbors.

He said the fire department goes out of town about 350 to 400 times a year. Many of the calls involve Concord Place Retirement Community in Northlake, which is to Elmhurst's northeast, he said.

"I try to meet with the chiefs to make sure no one is taking advantage of the resources Elmhurst has," Anaszewicz said. "If I do notice an uptick in requests from Elmhurst, we discuss what we can do to solve that. So we always try to make sure that we are providing equal services and receiving equal services from our neighbors."

Elmhurst is larger in population than all of its neighbors. It is wealthier than all but one. Oak Brook has a higher median household income, but the village accounts for only a tiny portion of Elmhurst's border.

In March 2021, Patch gave a detailed look at the levels of mutual aid the city provides its neighbors.