Manhattan Fire Protection District | August 18, 2025 Meeting

The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees focused on the future of its facilities and public safety at its meeting on Monday, August 18, 2025. The board approved rebid packages for its new Station 81, achieving significant cost savings of nearly $200,000. This followed a public hearing on the district’s intent to sell up to $8.75 million in bonds to finance the project. More details on the new station’s progress and funding are available in a full story.

In another key development, Fire Chief Steve Malone announced plans to meet with the Will County Department of Transportation to address safety issues at two high-accident local intersections, a topic covered in a separate article.

Financial Status Remains Strong
James Howard of Governmental Accounting presented a 7-month financial analysis, reporting that the district’s finances are in good shape. Interest rates on investments are favorable, and revenue from ambulance fees is averaging approximately $97,000 per month, which is an improvement over the previous year. The board also heard a presentation from Sawyer Falduto on investment management services for district funds, including future bond proceeds.

Full-Time Firefighter Hiring Process Advances
Chief Steve Malone reported that the district’s hiring process for full-time firefighters is moving forward. Following a testing phase, oral interviews with candidates are scheduled to be held next week. Deputy Chief Dave Piper added that manpower is currently stable and that several employment applications are on file.

Staffing Increased for Will County Fair
The fire district will increase its staffing levels for the duration of the Will County Fair, which begins this week. Deputy Chief Dave Piper noted the measure is to ensure the district remains well-staffed to handle any emergencies during the large community event.

Chiefs Address Hospital Trauma Center Limitations
Deputy Chief Piper reported that he recently attended a meeting with the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association where concerns were raised about the limited number of hospital trauma centers in the region. This is an ongoing issue that fire and emergency medical services are monitoring due to its impact on patient transport and care.