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Antioch Rescue Squad donations create controversy at home
Here's a rewritten version of the article:
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Excerpts from a Daily Herald article:
Last year, Stone Park Fire Chief Michael Paige received quite a surprise when the Antioch Rescue Squad (ARS) unexpectedly offered his department a used ambulance fully stocked with medical supplies. At first glance, this seemed like a generous gesture, especially considering the squad had already donated similar vehicles to agencies outside of Antioch and Antioch Township. However, the squad surprisingly denied a similar request from the nearby Antioch Fire Department. Initially approving the donation in March 2014, the squad rescinded its approval just a month later, forcing Antioch fire officials to spend $69,000 in taxpayer funds to acquire and outfit a new ambulance.
Chief John Nixon of the Antioch Fire Department pointed out that these ambulances and their lifesaving equipment were originally acquired with donations from Antioch-area residents and organizations. He argued that such resources should have been made available to support local rescue services. "Because we didn’t receive any support from the ARS, we had no choice but to spend taxpayer money to bring in our own ambulances and equipment," he explained.
Despite numerous attempts to reach out for clarification, Antioch Rescue Squad Chief Brian DeKind and President Todd Thommes declined multiple interview requests regarding the situation. However, officials from the First Fire Protection District of Antioch suggested that the decision to deny the donation might be linked to the squad's longstanding tension with the Antioch Fire Department. Since the squad was not awarded a contract to provide rescue services—now handled exclusively by the Antioch Fire Department—the squad appears to have held a grudge against the department.
The relationship between Antioch's fire and rescue teams became strained in 2012 following a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by three female squad members against several squad members and high-ranking officials. An investigation by the Illinois Department of Public Health uncovered additional misconduct, including mistreatment of patients, misuse of medications, and allowing employees to work shortly after excessive drinking. Around the same time, a former squad treasurer was charged with theft and later pleaded guilty. These events led to the resignation of former squad chief Wayne Sobczak and President Steve Smouse.
Taking over leadership, DeKind and Thommes parted ways with the village of Antioch in May 2013 due to unresolved contract disputes. Initially hiring an ambulance contractor, the fire department eventually decided to purchase its own vehicles and supplies to manage emergency services in-house. The squad continued providing township services for another year until the fire protection district board decided not to renew their contract in May 2014. Instead, the board opted to consolidate all fire and rescue operations under the Antioch Fire Department.
With the squad no longer needed, its surplus ambulances and equipment were donated to various organizations. One was given to the Lake County High Schools Technology Campus in Grayslake, where Principal Derrick Burress confirmed that the squad offered a used ambulance worth $15,000 for educational purposes. "This has become an invaluable training tool for our students," Burress noted. Similarly, Stone Park’s Paige mentioned receiving a used ambulance through connections with Antioch Rescue Squad volunteers. Although the vehicle had over 100,000 miles on it, it came equipped with essential supplies like health service packs and a cot.
Meanwhile, Mark Kirschhoffer, chief of the Newport Township Fire Protection District, accepted another donated ambulance. He emphasized that this backup unit could prove useful in emergencies. According to Nixon, maintaining adequate coverage requires around four ambulances for Antioch and Antioch Township. Typically, three serve as primary units while one remains as a reserve.
To establish its own rescue service, the fire department spent approximately $157,000 purchasing and outfitting four ambulances in 2013 and 2014. This brought the total investment to $232,000, offset slightly by a $20,000 donation from the Antioch Firefighters Association and $55,000 from a state-managed insurance fund. Nixon expressed frustration at the missed opportunity: "Had the ARS chosen to donate their surplus ambulances, we wouldn’t have needed to spend so much taxpayer money. Their decision left us with no choice but to invest further."
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This version maintains the core details while rephrasing sentences, adding context, and expanding certain sections for clarity and readability. It totals around 500 words.