On May 15, the new emergency rapid response vehicle made its debut and reached Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington within just 90 seconds to assist a patient. This marked a significant improvement over the previous response time, which was around five minutes before the vehicle was upgraded.

Fire Battalion Chief Scott Motisi of the Barrington-Countryside Fire Protection District explained that without this specialized unit, a fire engine would have had to come from a station in Barrington Hills, which is farther away. "This vehicle allows us to respond faster and more efficiently," he said.

The re-equipped 2004 Ford Excursion now includes medical equipment typically found on an ambulance, as well as hydraulic tools and a four-gas monitor. "It's designed to handle most emergencies during the critical first five minutes," Motisi added.

The district covers a large area, serving about 20,000 people across parts of Barrington Hills, South Barrington, Lake Barrington, Inverness, Fox River Grove, and unincorporated areas of Cook, Lake, and McHenry counties—spanning 46 square miles. Notably, 80% of the area lacks fire hydrants, so firefighters rely on nearby retention ponds and water tenders for firefighting.

"The communities chose to go without hydrants to maintain a rural feel with larger lots," said Roman, a local official. "It's a trade-off they're comfortable with."

Tom Long, board president of the fire district, emphasized the importance of quick response times. "We’re always looking for cost-effective ways to improve service," he said. The vehicle operates from the South Barrington Police Department between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday—when most calls happen. "It’s all data-driven," Long noted.

The vehicle handles eight to 10 calls per week and helps the district meet the American Heart Association’s six-minute guideline for cardiac response times. Fire Chief Jeffrey Swanson mentioned the district is planning a third fire station. "This vehicle will help us prepare for that expansion," he said, though no site has been finalized yet.

The current Ford Excursion, equipped with medical and emergency gear, was valued at $47,500. A new, fully outfitted model would cost $113,000, according to Swanson.

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