Written by Erin Sauder, Sun Times Media.  September 30, 2014

http://couriernews.suntimes.com/2014/09/30/east-dundee-shows-new-fire-station/

East Dundee shows off new fire station

East Dundee residents have an opportunity to see what their tax dollars paid for during an open house celebration for the new fire station along Route 25.

Set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, the event will also include a dedication ceremony for the building.

“The residents were kind enough to approve the referendum and now they get a chance to see the building for the first time and where their tax dollars have gone,” said Fire Chief Steve Schmitendorf.

Saturday’s event will include tours of the station, refreshments, and activities for kids and adults. The dedication ceremony will be held at 11 a.m.

A $5.5 million referendum passed by taxpayers in November of 2012 made possible the new fire station, located near Routes 25 and 72. Fire officials said the area is more centrally located to serve their entire district, which extends as far east as Higgins Road and Route 90. The district serves the villages of East Dundee, South Barrington, Barrington Hills, and unincorporated Kane and Cook counties.

The move also means more room for the East Dundee Police Department which will expand into the fire department’s old building.

Fire officials were able to move into the new building in June.

“We decided to wait and give us some time to get organized to do the dedication,” Schmitendorf said.

He said officials have already noted a great improvement in response times at the new site.

“We’re in a better location to go in lots of different directions,” he said.

And while officials are hoping for good weather Saturday, the event will be held rain or shine.

“We have a big enough station now so we can do a lot inside that we couldn’t do before,” Schmitendorf said.

And because Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, “we’ll do the combination of the fire station dedication along with the open house and roll right into that,” Schmitendorf said.