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The *Daily Herald* recently reported on a major decision by the First Fire Protection District of Antioch to end its long-standing contract with the Antioch Rescue Squad (ARS), a volunteer organization that has served the community for over 75 years. The board of the fire district announced last Tuesday that they will not renew the EMS contract, which is set to expire on May 9, marking the end of an era for the ARS.
In a letter sent to the ARS board, the fire district stated that it's time to explore new options for providing emergency medical services. They will now rely on the Antioch Fire Department to handle EMS calls in both the village and Antioch Township. This change comes after the village of Antioch ended its contract with the ARS in May 2013, shifting ambulance services to the fire department.
ARS Chief Brian DeKind expressed his disappointment, noting that the squad had provided critical emergency care since 1940. “After 75 years of service, we won’t be offering ambulance care in Antioch anymore,†he said. The ARS now faces an uncertain future, with members considering alternatives such as home health visits or wellness checks to continue serving the community.
The ARS had struggled with several challenges over the years. A major turning point came in 2012 when a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed against several members and officials. An investigation by the Illinois Department of Public Health revealed serious issues, including patient mistreatment, alcohol abuse among staff, and improper medication use. The organization was fined and forced to make operational changes.
Earlier this year, the ARS treasurer, John Edgell, was convicted of stealing more than $10,000 from the squad and ordered to repay $25,000. These incidents led to leadership changes, including the resignation of former chief Wayne Sobczak and president Steve Smouse. DeKind took over in 2013 with the goal of rebuilding the squad’s reputation.
Despite efforts to improve, financial difficulties persisted. After losing the village contract, the ARS lost about half of its revenue. They had requested support from the fire district but were unable to cover the costs. Now, with the new arrangement, the ARS is looking at possible options, including dissolving the group or shifting to private medical transport services.
Fire Chief John Nixon assured residents that there would be no disruption in emergency services. He emphasized that all ambulances will continue to serve both the village and unincorporated areas, with staffing coming from the fire department.
Both the village and township are moving toward a unified EMS system under the fire department, which will be funded through a proposed EMS tax levy. The fire district noted that this shift is necessary to ensure better coordination and accountability in emergency services.
For now, the ARS remains committed to serving the community, even if it means redefining its role. As DeKind put it, “We want to continue helping people, just in a different way.â€