Frequently Asked Questions:
Emergency Dispatch Information
If you would like to share residential emergency contact and access information with the police department and fire department, you can register your address and details with the Kane County Emergency Communications service. The Kane County Sheriff's Office runs 911 services and provides a web-site where you can share residential information. Follow these steps:
- Access this web site: https://www.frontlinepss.com/kanecomm
- Click the "SUBMIT NOW" button
- Click the "I AM A RESIDENT" button
- Fill out the form: contact names, alarm details, access codes, etc.
- Click "Submit" at the bottom
Residential Knox Box
Fire Department access to your home
The fire department uses KnoxBox devices to securely store home keys or access codes to your house. Only the fire department has the ability to open these safe devices. Having one of these devices makes it easier for the fire department to enter your home without causing property damage. You purchase the device, attach it to your house (on or near your front door), then contact the fire department to secure your keys or access codes.
Follow these steps to purchase a residential KnoxBox
- Go on-line to Residential KnoxBoxes
- Select " Your location": ILLINOIS
- Select " Your local fire department/agency ": Type in Pingree and select Pingree Grove Fire Prot Dist
- Click SEARCH
- Click SELECT for the following item:
Pingree Grove Fire Prot Dist
Elgin, IL
Residential Use ONLY - HOMEBOXES
- Select Residential KnoxBoxes and place your order
After you receive and install your KnoxBox, contact the Fire Department and we will stop by to secure your keys or access codes
How do I dispose of unused prescription medication?
Why Safely Dispose
- Prevent Accidental Poisonings: Unused medications, especially those that are expired, can be a danger to children, pets, and even adults. Accidental ingestion of these drugs can lead to serious health issues or even be fatal. By disposing of these medications properly, you can prevent these accidental poisonings.
- Avoid Drug Misuse: Medications that are not securely stored can be misused or abused by others. This is particularly true for prescription painkillers, sedatives, and stimulants, which can be highly addictive. Safe disposal helps reduce the risk of drug misuse and protects vulnerable individuals from potential harm.
- Protect the Environment: Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can harm the environment. These substances can contaminate water supplies and harm wildlife. Proper disposal ensures that medications do not end up polluting our environment.
How to Dispose
The Pingree Grove police department offers secure and convenient medication disposal programs:
- Prepare Your Medications: Before heading to the disposal site, remove any personal information from the prescription labels to protect your privacy. Keep the medications in their original containers if possible.
- Drop Them Off: Simply bring your medications to the police station disposal site and drop them in the secure drop box. The police department will ensure that the medications are disposed of safely and responsibly.
See the Pingree Grove police department website FAQ page for details.
What areas do the Pingree Grove & Countryside Fire Protection District Cover?
District Map
The Pingree Grove Countryside Fire District Covers over 50 Square Miles. The area includes, The Village of Pingree Grove, part of The Village of Hampshire, part of The Village of Campton Hills, Plato Township, parts of Rutland Township, Elgin Township and Campton Township. Also included in the area is Plato Center, Udina, Starks, North Plato and McQueen.
Can I schedule a tour of the Fire Station?
Yes, if you or your group would like to tour our Fire Stations, contact Captain Fehrman at 847-741-3151. You can schedule a date and time to tour the station and our apparatus. If you or your family would like a tour of the fire station simply stop in at the Station, Monday thru Friday, 6 am to 6pm and a firefighter would be glad to show you around.
How do I get a new address fire sign?
If your Fire Sign is damaged or unreadable please click here and fill out the form for a new fire sign. The District is currently in the process of putting up new Fire Signs for all addresses in the District. If you are in need of a temporary sign please don't hesitate to contact us.
Can I request that PGFPD come to a block party or our organization?
Yes, if your neighborhood is hosting a block party or your organization would like the department to come, contact Captain Fehrman at 847-741-3151 and leave a message to schedule a date and time. Please give us at least a week in advance to organize. We ask that you understand that the firefighters that come, are on duty, so they may arrive later than planned or have to leave unexpectedly to answer an emergency call.
If voicemail: Leave your name, call back phone number, address, & reason of request.
Does the Fire District offer CPR classes?
Yes, we do provide CPR classes for members of the public. Call F/F Kamayer at 847-741-3151 to find out the next date, or to schedule a class
Does the Fire District recharge fire extinguishers?
No, there are multiple licensed fire extinguisher companies in the area.
What is the difference between a Fire Department and a Fire Protection District?
A Fire Department usually only protects one area within the boundaries of a village or city. A Fire Protection District protects areas of multiple villages and unincorporated areas. Fire Protection Districts are the most common type of Fire Services in The State of Illinois.
What is a Chaplain?
Chaplains provide necessary and effective ongoing spiritual and emotional support to firefighters, their families, and fire department staff as well as on-scene support for community residents during and after an incident.
Understanding Ambulance Billing
The Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District is committed to providing the highest level of emergency medical services to our community and beyond. To ensure transparency, we want to explain how our ambulance billing process works. The process depends on whether you are a resident of our fire protection district or not. Here’s what you need to know:
Residents of the Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District
As a resident of our district, you benefit from our commitment to minimizing the financial burden of emergency medical services. Here’s how the billing process works:
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Insurance Submission
If you have insurance, we will submit your ambulance bill directly to your insurance company on your behalf. We may obtain your insurance information from you, the hospital, or other sources. If we are unable to retrieve your insurance information, we will send you a request or give you a call to collect the necessary details.
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No Out-of-Pocket Costs
After your insurance pays its portion, you will not be responsible for any remaining balance, deductible, or co-pay. If you do not have insurance, the entire ambulance bill will be written off because you are a resident of the Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District. This policy ensures that our residents receive the care they need without worrying about the financial implications of ambulance services.
Non-Residents of the Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District
As a non-resident, the billing process includes a few additional steps. Here’s what to expect:
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Insurance Submission
We will make every effort to obtain your insurance information, either directly from you, the hospital, or other sources, to submit the bill on your behalf. If we cannot access your insurance information, we will reach out to you to gather the necessary details.
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Your Responsibility for Remaining Costs
Once your insurance company processes the bill, you will be responsible for any remaining balance, including deductibles or co-pays. If you do not have insurance, you will be responsible for the entire bill.
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Payment Follow-Up
We will follow up with you regarding any outstanding balance and work with you to establish a payment plan if necessary. If the bill remains unpaid or a payment plan is not arranged, we may engage a collection agency to resolve the outstanding amount. Our billing practices for non-residents ensure that we can continue to provide high-quality emergency medical services to all who need them.
Why Do We Bill Differently?
This distinction in billing practices reflects our commitment to supporting the residents of the Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District. As residents, your tax dollars contribute to funding our operations, allowing us to extend these financial benefits to you. For non-residents, the full cost of services ensures the sustainability of our operations for all communities we serve.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your ambulance bill, our team is here to help. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information or support. Thank you for trusting the Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District with your emergency medical needs.
