Matteson, IL – Matteson firefighters are calling on the community to support their push for more staffing as they face increasing demands. Following the Matteson Village Board’s recent decision to extend fire and EMS services to Olympia Fields starting February 2025, firefighters are sounding the alarm on what they describe as a dangerous staffing shortage.
Currently, only nine firefighters are on duty per shift to serve Matteson’s 19,000 residents. Last year, they responded to a record 5,375 emergency calls, and this year’s call volume is expected to surpass 5,645. With the addition of Olympia Fields, the department projects an increase of 25% in call volume, potentially exceeding 7,000 calls annually. Firefighters warn that without more personnel, response times and overall public safety could suffer.
The firefighters’ union urges residents to contact the Village Board and advocate for increased staffing. They hope that community voices will press local leaders to address this critical issue before the department is overwhelmed. The union is also inviting homeowner associations to meet and discuss solutions to safeguard public safety.
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