“Desperate” for Cash, Cook County District to Sell Ads on Ambulances, Trucks

The ads could raise as much as $25,000 a year for the Palatine Rural Fire Protection District.

An Illinois fire district plans to sell advertising on its firetrucks and ambulances in order to raise money.

The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reports the Palatine Rural Fire Protection District will add the advertising after voters opposed a tax increase that could have brought in about $200,000 in revenue.

Chief Hank Clemmensen says the agency is "in a desperate situation." He says the money generated will be "critical" to the department's operation.

The ads will be near the back of the trucks and are expected to raise as much as $25,000 a year for the department.

Clemmensen says the fire protection district lost $300,000 from 2012 to 2013 — a 9 percent decline.

Arizona-based Public Safety Advertising will receive a 15 percent commission on ad sales.

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