An article published on Reporteronline highlights the ongoing tensions between the Chicago Ridge Fire Department and village officials, particularly concerning staffing and resource allocation. The firefighters’ union has raised serious concerns about the department’s ability to maintain safety and service levels with the current staff. Chris Schmelzer, president of the Chicago Ridge Firefighters Union, expressed frustration in an email sent on December 13, which was obtained by the Reporter. He described the situation as “unmanageable,†citing a major issue: the plan to staff a second fire station with only existing personnel. “Having just two people at a station is unsafe, reduces overall service, and doesn’t make sense,†Schmelzer wrote. In a recent interview, Schmelzer criticized the lack of communication between the fire chief and the firefighters. “There's no real communication. We're just coexisting, doing things under the threat of discipline,†he said. He also claimed that the working environment had shifted from teamwork to what he called a “dictatorship.†Mayor Chuck Tokar announced that the Lombard Avenue fire station, which had been closed, will now reopen by the end of January instead of Christmas. He argued that this delay is necessary to ensure the station operates efficiently, especially during peak call times. “The station will be open for 12 hours a day when we get the most calls,†he explained. The decision to reopen the Lombard station was based on its proximity to the residential area and the potential to reduce reliance on neighboring communities for ambulance services—something residents are required to pay for. However, the union has voiced concerns about the new plan, arguing that it compromises fire protection across the town. “Every time we respond to an ambulance call, we lose all fire response capacity. Under the new plan, two ambulances go out on every call, meaning there’s no one left to answer the next emergency,†Schmelzer wrote. He added that the department is already stretched thin, operating with a minimum of four firefighters per shift, and that even with this setup, overtime is common due to high seniority and accumulated leave. “Most of our members have over 10 years of experience, and they’re taking time off regularly. This creates overtime every time someone is not on duty,†Schmelzer said. He also pointed out that two positions from 2014 remain unfilled, further straining the department. While Mayor Tokar claims the union is involved in the decision-making process, he emphasized that his role is to represent the taxpayers. “I understand the union’s position, but I’m accountable to the people of Chicago Ridge,†he said. Another point of contention is the purchase of a new quint—a fire apparatus equipped with a pump, water tank, hose, aerial ladder, and ground ladders. The fire department had to sell off an aerial truck and two pumper trucks, including one in poor condition, to help fund the $685,000 vehicle. The village expects to recoup $250,000 from the sale of the old equipment, with the remaining balance potentially covered by a state loan. “Spending nearly $700,000 on a vehicle that will only be staffed by two people seems like a waste of public funds,†Schmelzer said, adding that the new response plan doesn’t align with the department’s safety standards. Thanks, Dan. GGD Profile Roll Forming Machine Ggd Profiles,Ggd Cabinet Structure,Ggd Electrical Cabinet Frame,Ggd Profile Side Sheets Huai'an Senyu Intelligent Technology Co., LTD , https://www.jshasyzn.com
Chicago Ridge Fire Department (update)