Fire station relocation debate continues in Normal

Image taken by Bella Marello

NORMAL, Ill. – Discussion over relocating Normal Fire Department Station 2 continued at the Normal Town Council meeting Monday.

The town previously presented data showing no major change in fire response times if the station is relocated, emphasizing a four- to six-minute response time goal. The Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois and Normal Firefighters IAFF Local 2442 have urged the council to adopt a goal of four minutes or less, citing National Fire Protection Association standards.

Public commenter Blake Chausse, a member of Local 2442, addressed statements made by council members at the previous meeting.

“Town staff stated that the town has been using a six-minute response standard for over 30 years. This is confusing, because there are multiple internal documents created by town staff specifically stating that the town was holding itself to the four-minute NFPA 1710 response standard,” Chausse said. “The only time that we can find a six-minute response standard mentioned by town staff is within the past three months.”

Chausse also challenged claims that other municipalities do not use NFPA 1710 as their standard.

“Staff stated that many other municipalities do not use NFPA 1710 as their standard for response times,” Chausse said. “Most notably, Naperville Fire Department was mentioned. This is incorrect.”

He added that Bloomington follows the four-minute NFPA 1710 response standard.

Chausse also raised concerns about staffing levels within the department, saying there are not enough firefighters to respond safely and effectively.

“This is a recipe for disaster, because not only are we showing up later when fire has had more time to grow, but we are showing up with an inadequate amount of manpower and resources to address the increased hazard,” Chausse said. “This greatly increases the risk to the town’s citizens, workers, visitors and its first responders.”

Public commenter Isaac Gerrietts, a 20-year employee of the department, also spoke against the relocation.

“I would call on council to clarify for residents what standard actually does matter, the four minutes that was referenced in 2012 or the six minutes being referenced in 2026,” Gerrietts said.

Gerrietts said he believes the council lacks agility when making decisions.

“It seems that once an idea has taken shape, the town will continue toward that idea, come hell or high water,” Gerrietts said. “All this leaves one to wonder if there is too much of a groupthink mentality within town staff. Not to say that having everyone rowing the boat the same direction is inherently bad, but if no one is willing or fears questioning the route, it does become a problem.”

Council member Kathleen Lorenz shared what she hopes the council will do moving forward.

“Sit down together, set aside personal biases and determine what success looks like for the Normal Fire Department, because as long as we remain unclear about the target, we will almost certainly miss it,” Lorenz said. “Excellence is not an accident. It is a decision. So make that decision now and give our fire department a clear target worthy of this community.”

The Normal Town Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month. The next meeting is scheduled for March 2 at 7 p.m. on the fourth floor of Normal City Hall.