Addison Fire Department Station 3 Heliport

The closure was not the result of a singular event such as an accident or economic failure. It was most likely decommissioned due to an evolution in emergency medical service (EMS) protocols. Factors probably included: the increased number and capability of dedicated helipads at regional hospitals (e.g., Elmhurst Hospital, Advocate Good Samaritan), and a procedural shift towards using flexible, temporary landing zones (like parks or closed roads) that can be established closer to an incident scene. These changes rendered a fixed, dedicated helipad at the fire station operationally redundant.

The site is the rear parking lot and training ground of the active Addison Fire Protection District Station 3, located at 100 S. Rohlwing Road, Addison, Illinois. Current satellite imagery shows that the faded markings of the helipad (a circle with an 'H') are still visible on the asphalt. The area is now used for fire department vehicle parking, equipment staging, and training drills. While no longer a formally designated heliport, the open space could likely still be used as an ad-hoc emergency landing zone if circumstances required it.

The heliport's significance was entirely operational and local. It served as a pre-designated, safe, and controlled Landing Zone (LZ) for air ambulance helicopters. When active, its primary function was to facilitate the rapid transfer of critically ill or injured patients from ground ambulances to medevac helicopters for transport to major trauma centers. Using this pre-surveyed site ensured a safe transfer environment, free from the hazards of an active emergency scene like wires, debris, and traffic.

There are no known public plans or prospects for reopening or re-certifying this heliport. Given that its closure was due to a fundamental shift in regional EMS strategy, which now favors landing directly at hospitals or closer to incidents, the operational need for this specific facility has been eliminated. A formal reopening is considered highly unlikely.