Skokie Fire Department to Share Drill Tower with Evanston Fire Department

On October 1, 2012 the Skokie Village Board gave preliminary approval to an inter-governmental agreement with the City of Evanston granting the Evanston Fire Department training privileges at the Skokie Fire Department’s fire service drill tower at Fire Station 17, 8157 Central Park Avenue, Skokie.  The drill tower was built when Fire Station 17 was constructed in 2003. 

In consideration for ongoing training privileges at the drill tower, and also in consideration of the Village of Skokie’s original investment in the drill tower materials, construction and acquisition of property for the tower, the City of Evanston will contribute $286,000 to the Village of Skokie.  These funds will be used exclusively for enhancements and renovations to the much-used drill tower.  Evanston also will pay a $15,000 annual maintenance cost for replenishing training supplies and wear and tear on the drill tower. 

“I am pleased that the Village of Skokie is able to enter into this mutually beneficial partnership with the City of Evanston,” said Mayor George Van Dusen.  “I am proud of the Village’s foresight in constructing the tower as part of the new station development in 2003.  The tower is evidence of Skokie’s long-standing dedication to excellence in public safety, as is the Village’s achievement of holding a Class One designation, the highest possible, from the Insurance Services Office and being the first municipality in the nation to have nationally accredited fire, police and public works departments.  I am pleased that the City of Evanston recognizes the benefit of using this local, convenient and state-of-the-art training structure, and laud Evanston officials for their willingness to invest in maintaining the drill tower.”

The agreement is for an initial 10-year term, with a five-year renewal.  The agreement includes specific guidelines defining the amount of time each fire department will use the tower, a detailed inspection/maintenance plan and other details to govern the joint drill tower use.

According to Skokie Fire Chief Ralph Czerwinski, the Skokie and Evanston Fire Departments have been conducting joint training exercises several times annually since 2010.  “With our combined training during the past two years, Evanston Fire Department administrators recognized the advantages of having a dedicated training area in or near the community,” Czerwinski said.  “A new drill tower facility would cost an estimated $871,000, not including land acquisition costs.  I am glad that the Village of Skokie is able to offer Evanston a cost-effective alternative to building their own drill tower.  The benefit of this effort is bi-directional for the communities we serve, it is financially responsible, functionally appropriate and operationally it elevates each of the agencies ability to the benefit of the citizens we serve.”

For more information please contact Fire Chief Ralph Czerwinski at 847/982-5320.