An article published on ReporterOnline highlights the ongoing tensions between the Chicago Ridge Fire Department and village officials, focusing on several critical issues that have been escalating in recent months. According to the firefighters' union, a major concern is what they call a "staffing crisis," which has led to growing frustrations among the department's personnel.
Chris Schmelzer, president of the Chicago Ridge Firefighters Union, expressed his concerns in an email sent on December 13 to Trustee Bruce Quintos, which was obtained by the Reporter. He stated, “We are currently faced with more issues than I care to count.†One of the most pressing problems he highlighted is the idea of staffing a second fire station using only existing personnel. “To staff a firehouse with two people is unsafe, reduces services to the entire town, and just simply doesn’t make sense,†he wrote.
In a recent interview, Schmelzer criticized the lack of communication between Fire Chief George Sheets and the firefighters. “There is no communication. We’re coexisting. We’re doing things under threat of discipline,†he said. He described the current environment as a “dictatorship,†indicating a sharp decline from the teamwork that once existed within the department.
Mayor Chuck Tokar confirmed that plans to reopen the Lombard Avenue fire station by Christmas have been delayed until the end of January. However, he defended the decision, stating that the station will be open for 12 hours a day during peak call times. He also emphasized that the location of the Lombard Station is closer to the residential area compared to the industrial park station. Additionally, having ambulance services based there would reduce the need for neighboring communities to provide aid, which residents currently pay for.
Despite these claims, union leaders argue that the new plan comes with significant drawbacks. Schmelzer explained that under the new system, two ambulances respond to every call, leaving no one available for fire emergencies. “The new plan calls for two ambulances to respond to every call, reducing fire response within the village by 100 percent. Nobody is left to answer the next call,†he wrote. He also pointed out that two firefighters who retired in 2014 were never replaced, adding to the department’s strain.
“We run with a four-person minimum per shift, as anything less than that would be unsafe, according to all applicable consensus standards, past practice, and common sense,†Schmelzer said. He noted that two of the three shifts are currently staffed with four people, leading to frequent overtime when someone is off. With most members having over 10 years of seniority and accumulated time off, many are scheduled to take days off regularly, creating consistent overtime situations.
While the mayor insists that decisions regarding the fire department involve input from the union, he also reminded everyone that he represents the taxpayers of Chicago Ridge. “Don’t believe everything that you hear,†Schmelzer cautioned, emphasizing that the union is working to ensure that the voice of the firefighters is heard.
The union also raised concerns about the village’s recent purchase of a quint—a multi-functional fire apparatus that includes a pump, water tank, hose, aerial ladder, and ground ladders. This purchase forced the fire department to retire an aerial truck and two pumper trucks, including one that is heavily rusted and in need of major repairs. The vehicles will be sold, with the proceeds helping to offset the $685,000 cost of the quint. A $350,000 state loan could cover the remaining balance, according to Fire Chief Sheets.
However, Schmelzer criticized the decision, arguing that it seems like a poor use of resources. “To spend three quarters of a million dollars on a vehicle that will, according to the new response plan issued by the department, only be staffed with two people seems like an improper use of resources,†he said.
Thanks, Dan
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