GBS Student Organizes 'Save Station 13' Rally In Glenview

GLENVIEW, IL — Following a vote at a Glenview Village Board meeting last month, Glenview Fire Station No. 13 is slated to close on April 1. This decision didn't sit too well with Drew Duffy. The 16-year-old Glenbrook South High School sophomore is planning a rally at 11 a.m. Saturday in front of the station at 831 E Lake Ave. The public is invited to attend.

"The main goal of this rally is to make sure residents are aware of the closure and are equipped with the knowledge to stand firmly against the decision," Duffy told Patch. "We want the Village to, at the very least, halt the closure, so residents can ask questions and firefighters can also give their input. There are certainly ways to make the department more efficient, so let's look over those options in an open, public format."

Last month, the Village Board unanimously directed village staff to realign existing resources from Fire Station No. 13 to the four other village stations, despite concerns from the local firefighter's union. The decision in essence will close the fire station.

Related: Village Board Approves Fire Station 13 Resource Reallocation

Duffy is the founder of the Young Progressives Club at GBS, a club he started to get other students more excited about politics. It was through the club Duffy discovered the decision regarding Fire Station No. 13.

"I watched the Village Board meetings and read the reports only to be more confused and troubled at the decisions being made," Duffy said.

In 2019, the Board of Trustees began a review process to consider options for better aligning village services with the demands of the community. The review process included input from village firefighters, lieutenants, battalion chiefs and department leadership, according to village officials.

Duffy started reaching out to village officials and asking them why the decision was made. He said that he didn't get much of a response, but was instead directed to the Village website. He's hoping Saturday's rally will get people talking.

Glenview Firefighters Local 4186 union expressed its concern with the changes recently, including increased response times to emergencies on the east side of the village.

"The Glenview Firefighters Local 4186 stands against this decision," the union said in a statement. "We know that the closure of Fire Station 13 will compromise emergency services to the entire village, especially the East side of Glenview. We will not support this reduction in service."

The union has created a new section on its website with information about Station No. 13, encouraging village residents to reach out to the Board of Trustees with their concerns.

Duffy is expecting Saturday's rally to be well-attended. He said all social distancing measures will be taken and masks will be worn at all times.

"I want to show the village what Glenview residents think of their decision to close Station 13," Duffy said. "There will be a lot of people with their signs and enthusiasm."

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