Welcome back!!

We’re back with another #Friday5. As we explained previously, this is the platform where we answer questions from people in the district to give everyone the best information possible about the upcoming referendum. No question is off limits, and the answers can be fact-checked by anyone looking for the truth.

The Bourbonnais Fire Protection District board is wholly committed to getting the truth out there and being honest about rumors that may manifest regarding this tax rate proposal. Therefore, if you ask a question or make a statement on social media, email, or board meetings, we will answer the questions IN WRITING so you can freely hold us to our word.

Remember, these are YOUR questions, statements, and other communication we have collected via email, read on social media, or found on websites regarding the Nov. 5 referendum. We will pull these questions and statements directly from wherever we find them and write answers for everyone to read.

Now, without further hype – welcome to our third edition of #Friday5:

Q: But we need a new park... (A $21.5 million park.)

A: We still do not think it is appropriate to comment on what other taxing bodies do with the money they receive through property or sales tax. However, the Daily Journal released an article for people seeking information about this park. You can find it here. Either way, the issue surrounding the park is between the village and the voters.

As we have said from the beginning, we need to increase salaries at the BFPD to retain experienced specialists – like paramedics and firefighters – to keep our residents safe. This is why the board has asked for a tax rate increase on the November ballot.

Q: Where do the proceeds from the smoke alarm inspections go?

A: Great question, so let’s dive in. The BFPD performs smoke alarm inspections, but the revenue generated is insufficient to cover HALF the salary of one full-time, specialized, firefighter/paramedic.

The district charges $50 for smoke detector inspections with the revenue going back to the general fund for day-to-day operations. In 2022, the BFPD did 518 inspections and generated $25,900 in revenue. In 2023, we did 403 inspections which generated $20,150 in revenue. So far, the BPFD has done 280 inspections and generated $14,000 in revenue in 2024.

Q: We give in to our emotions and hopefully we do not put pressure on those who manage the budget for the county. They can move money around anywhere they want. Maybe it is up to the voters to put pressure where it needs to be applied.

A: This is becoming a repeat question/statement so, for a more detailed answer, please refer to the last two Friday 5’s. However, the BFPD is not under county, village, or state control. It is an independent taxing district. In that regard, there are no hidden funds, nor could we “move money around” to cover various costs.

Q: Do they not get money for ambulance runs?

A: Another great question. The short answer is the BFPD ATTEMPTS to collect funding from ambulance service, but there is a major shortfall between the cost of service and the revenue received in exchange for the services rendered. It’s also important to point out this is an issue fire services have been dealing with for YEARS across the country, not just in Bourbonnais.

Here’s the long explanation: A large portion of the ambulance transport comes from patients who use Medicaid/Medicare. However, Medicaid and Medicare only reimburse pennies on the dollar for the ambulance service provided. On average, Medicaid/Medicare pays about 15 percent - roughly $200 - for an ambulance transport that often costs the fire district more than $2,000. In addition, Medicaid/Medicare blocks all fire districts and fire departments from “balance billing” the patient. This means the BPFD is not allowed to bill patients for the revenue lost by Medicaid/Medicare. So, for example, if an ambulance run costs the fire district $2,000, and we receive $250 from Medicaid/Medicare, we are not allowed to bill the patient the remaining $1,750.

In this regard, fire service departments have long been expected to “bite the bullet” and make ends meet. And, to emphasize, this is not just a problem in Bourbonnais, this is an issue playing out in every fire district across the country. If you’d like to read up on this, here is an article from EMS World that explains the entire issue.

Now, the BFPD does try to collect money from patients taken to the hospital but are not on Medicaid/Medicare. However, as most people know, there is only so much we can do. Ultimately, it's up to the patient to pay the bill for the ambulance service we provide. The BFPD uses a paramedic billing service to capture as much money as possible from patients and insurance companies, but the money we recoup through ambulance billing is far less than the money it costs.

But, again, this isn’t an issue playing out just in Bourbonnais, this is an industry-wide issue. More needs to be done in the future to assist fire departments and fire districts cover these costs.

Q: BFPD has always been one of the lowest paid full time career departments in the county. That's one of the reasons I left to work up north. Residents of Bourbonnais need to ask themselves what is your safety and the safety of your family worth? Most fire departments currently have more vacancies than applicants and new firefighters/paramedics are going to choose the job that best provides for their families financially

A: Thank you for your input and we agree with your statement. This is the exact reason why it's important to understand the facts surrounding this referendum!!

See you next week!!