Glenside Fire Protection District History 

The Glenside Fire Protection District was created in June of 1969 through a referendum approved by the voters of the Glen Ellyn Countryside unincorporated area and the voters of the Village of Glendale Heights.  In October of 1970 a new fire station was dedicated to house 6 pieces of fire equipment and provided a training room and living areas for the firefighters. The Fire Chief was Robert Arens.  There was an addition of two long apparatus bays on the west side of the original building in 1984 by Fire Chief, Ron Dukes, and in 1994 a two phase renovation project was started by Fire Chief, Ralph Blust.  The first phase, the renovation of the apparatus bays and the underground fuel storage tanks was completed during 1994.  However, the second phase, the demolition of the meeting room and living areas of the original building and the construction of new living areas and administrative offices had to wait for funding.  In March of 2002 the residents of the Glenside Fire Protection District voted to approve a 3 million bond issue to renovate the 32 year old fire station. 

July 31, 2004 was the dedication of a project which began 10 years ago.  The renovated fire station is open to the citizens for their inspection.  The building which was funded by the citizens is expected to serve the community for the next century.  Each day, 24 hours a day, a minimum of five persons are on duty to respond to a variety of emergency incidents.  Monday thru Friday from 8AM until 5PM an administrative staff of five additional personnel are on duty.  Fire Chief, Russell Wood and Deputy Chief James Larsen manage the daily operations.  Three trustees, Nick Kosiara, Sharon Christopher, and Albert Lipponeur, are elected by the citizens of the fire district to administer the funds and set policies.  The fire district responds to 2,500 incidents each year and documents saving over 20 lives each year.  The district has 8 million dollars in assets, which does not include 4 million dollars in a fireman’s pension fund, and a 2004-2005 operating budget of 4 million dollars.  The Glenside Fire Protection District is a multi-million dollar operation protecting 32,000 citizens in the community 24 hours each day 365 days each year.  It was created by the citizens in 1969, and it is a vital part of the community today.