PETITION TO THE ORONOCO TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: REINSTATE LIFE-SAVING EMS CONTRACT WITH ORONOCO FIRST RESPONDERS

To the Oronoco Township Board of Supervisors,

We, the undersigned residents and taxpayers of Oronoco Township, are writing to express our profound disappointment and urgent concern regarding the decision to terminate the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) contract with the Oronoco First Responders, effective July 1, 2025.

For years, the Oronoco First Responders, who are an integral part of our local Oronoco Fire Department, have provided rapid, professional, and life-saving medical care to our community. They are often the first on scene for critical emergencies, whether it's a heart attack, stroke, severe accident, or other time-sensitive medical crisis.

We understand that fiscal responsibility is important. However, we believe that the current decision to transfer EMS coverage to Pine Island Medical Services, located a greater distance from much of Oronoco Township, poses a serious risk to our health and safety. Experts and local firefighters have voiced concerns that this change will significantly increase critical EMS response times within our township. In a medical emergency, every minute counts, and increased response times can drastically diminish the chances of a positive outcome.

Our lives, and the lives of our families and neighbors, depend on swift and effective emergency medical care. The established familiarity, local presence, and proven rapid response of the Oronoco First Responders are invaluable assets that should not be sacrificed.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, urgently call upon the Oronoco Township Board of Supervisors to immediately reconsider this decision and to negotiate a renewed, fair, and transparent contract with the Oronoco First Responders. We implore you to prioritize the immediate safety and well-being of Oronoco Township residents by ensuring the most rapid and reliable EMS response possible.

Respectfully, The Citizens Of Oronoco