North Maine firefighters could gain a tax-free retirement healthcare savings plan when the district's board votes Wednesday, Aug. 12, in Des Plaines. The meeting also includes a vehicle replacement plan and a training partnership with Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, whose EMS system is based in Niles.
The North Maine Fire Protection District Board of Trustees meets at 7 p.m. at Fire Station #1, 9301 Potter Road. The posted agenda lists several action items for the three-member board led by President Donald Neal.
Retirement healthcare plan
The board will vote on a resolution to add the NPPFA Retirement Healthcare Funding Plan for district firefighters. The item appears under "Old Business," meaning trustees discussed it at a prior meeting but did not approve it.
The RHFP, administered by the National Public Pension Fund Association, is a pre-tax savings vehicle that lets public employees set aside money before Medicare and Social Security taxes are applied. Funds grow tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free to cover medical, dental and vision expenses in retirement, including Medicare Part B and D premiums. The plan also allows employees to shelter end-of-career payouts, such as unused sick or vacation time, saving both the employee and employer on payroll taxes.
North Maine employs 22 full-time and two part-time sworn personnel.
Vehicle replacement schedule
Trustees will also consider approving a vehicle replacement schedule for the single-station department's apparatus. No dollar figures or specific vehicles were listed in the agenda.
The district responds to roughly 3,500 calls per year across a 3.5-square-mile service area serving about 30,000 residents.
EMT ride-along agreement
A third vote would authorize a letter of agreement allowing EMT students from Advocate Lutheran General Hospital to complete clinical ride-along hours aboard North Maine apparatus. North Maine is already one of eight prehospital providers in the ALGH EMS System, which includes more than 400 licensed EMS personnel and transports over 14,000 patients annually across the northwest suburbs.
Other system providers include the Des Plaines, Niles, Park Ridge, Glenview and Morton Grove fire departments.
Audit and financials
The board will hear a presentation of the district's 2025 audit from Lauterbach & Amen, a Naperville-based firm that audits more than 500 Illinois local governments. Trustees will also review the treasurer's report for the period ending July 31.
Fire Chief Bob Greiner, a former Niles Fire Department deputy chief who took over the district in late 2024, will deliver the chief's report. The board plans to enter closed session to discuss collective bargaining and personnel matters.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m.
