An article on Reporteronline highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Chicago Ridge Fire Department, as tensions continue to rise between firefighters and village officials over several critical issues.
According to Chris Schmelzer, president of the Chicago Ridge Firefighters Union, the department is dealing with a range of serious problems, including what he calls a “staffing crisis.†In an email sent on December 13 and obtained by the Reporter, Schmelzer expressed deep concerns about the possibility of staffing a second fire station using only current personnel. He argued that having just two people at a station is not only unsafe but also compromises service to the entire community.
In a recent interview, Schmelzer criticized the lack of communication between Fire Chief George Sheets and the firefighters, calling it a major issue. “There’s no real communication. We’re just coexisting, and we’re doing things under threat of discipline,†he said. He described the working environment as turning into a “dictatorship,†with teamwork being replaced by a more rigid and oppressive structure.
Mayor Chuck Tokar recently announced that the planned reopening of the Lombard Avenue fire station, initially set for Christmas, has been delayed until the end of January. However, he defended the decision, stating that the station will operate 12 hours a day during peak call times. He explained that the Lombard location is closer to the residential area, and using it for ambulance services would reduce reliance on neighboring communities—something residents currently have to pay for.
Despite this, union leaders argue that the new plan comes with significant drawbacks. Schmelzer pointed out that under the new system, every ambulance call eliminates fire protection across the entire town. “With two ambulances responding to every call, fire response within the village drops to 100 percent. No one is left to answer the next call,†he wrote in his email. He called the move short-sighted, emphasizing that the department already operates with limited resources.
Schmelzer also mentioned that two firefighters retired in 2014 without being replaced, adding to the strain on the department. He noted that the minimum staffing requirement is four people per shift, as anything less would be unsafe. However, two of the three shifts are currently staffed with only four members, leading to frequent overtime whenever someone is off duty.
“With almost all members having over 10 years of seniority and accumulated time off, someone is usually scheduled to take time off,†Schmelzer said. “This creates overtime every single time someone is away.â€
Tokar, on the other hand, emphasized that he represents the taxpayers and that decisions involving the fire department are made with input from the union. Meanwhile, the union continues to raise concerns about the village’s recent purchase of a quint—a multi-functional fire apparatus that includes a pump, water tank, aerial ladder, and ground ladders.
The acquisition of the $685,000 quint forced the department to sell an aerial truck and two pumper trucks, one of which is in poor condition and requires extensive repairs. The proceeds from the sale, expected to be around $250,000, will help offset the cost, with a state loan covering the remaining balance. However, Schmelzer criticized the decision, arguing that spending nearly $700,000 on a vehicle that will only be staffed by two people is a misuse of public funds.
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