By Addison Wright

Daily Southtown

The Orland Fire Protection District board’s waiver request to put a district ambulance back in operation for 12 hours daily, after the district took the ambulance offline in June, was denied by the Illinois Department of Public Health, said board member Tina Zekich, which a spokesperson for the board president later confirmed.

The board unanimously voted on July 22 to resume 12-hour daily operation of the ambulance after public concern over the district’s ability to respond to rising call volumes without the vehicle.

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Zekich asked to discuss the denial Tuesday night, expressing concern for the community, but board pres

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