Here's a message from Deputy Chief Drew Smith regarding the multi-vehicle accident that occurred last week on Palatine Road:
Prospect Heights and Wheeling Fire Departments have a coordinated response for incidents along Palatine Road. A unified command structure is in place to ensure a quick and effective response, regardless of jurisdiction. The road runs east-west for three miles through both towns, sometimes acting as a border or crossing between them. There are four bridges and only three interchanges, which can complicate access during emergencies.
When RED Center receives a 9-1-1 call about an incident, both departments respond simultaneously, approaching from opposite directions. This ensures that if one side is blocked by traffic, the other department can still reach the scene quickly. Once a unit arrives on-site, the location is confirmed, and additional apparatus can be dispatched or returned accordingly.
In the case of a "pin-in" (a vehicle trapped and requiring extrication), extra rescue units are required to stage before entering Palatine Road and wait for the first responding unit to confirm the best approach. I’ve included a map showing the three grids and the entry points for each company.
Grid 923
Grid 3923
Grid 3924
Companies
Entry Point
Companies
Entry Point
Companies
Entry Point
A9, E9
A23, E23
Schoenbeck
Wheeling Rd.
A9, E39
A23, E23
Wolf Rd.
Wheeling Rd.
A9, E39
A24, E24
Wolf Rd.
Milwaukee Ave.
For a pin-in situation, units such as PH E39 or Sq. 9, along with Wheeling E24 and the Wheeling squad or truck, plus both Prospect Heights and Wheeling chiefs, should be deployed.
Below is the map illustrating the grid system used for joint responses on Palatine Road.
Prospect Heights FPD & Wheeling FD grid map for Palatine Road joint responses.
For further reference, here’s a video explaining the layout and procedures in more detail:
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