The day is finally here!
Today, Highwood voters will decide via referendum....“Shall the City of Highwood Fire Department serving the citizens with the City of Highwood cease to provide emergency services and be dissolved and discontinued?”
If a majority of residents vote ‘Yes’ on this question on the March 2016 ballot, the station will be closed and Highland Park provided services will begin July 1, 2016.
If the referendum does not pass, the City will contract with PSI, a private company who provides fire employee staffing, to provide employees to fill many of the slots. This is a very reputable company with very good employees, but it would cost several hundred thousand dollars more than the agreement with Highland Park, though it would still save some money over keeping internal fire staff.