An article in the Reporteronline looks describes current challenges with the Chicago Ridge Fire Department:
The Chicago Ridge Fire Department remains at odds with village officials over a variety of hot-button issues including what the firefighters union describes as a “staffing crisis.”
“We are currently faced with more issues than I care to count,” Chris Schmelzer, president of the Chicago Ridge Firefighter’s Union, wrote in an Dec. 13 email to Trustee Bruce Quintos obtained Monday by the Reporter.
“First on the list is the absolutely outlandish possibility of staffing a second station using only current personnel resources. To staff a firehouse with two people is unsafe, reduces services to the entire town, and just simply doesn’t make sense,” Schmelzer wrote.
In an interview Monday, Schmelzer said poor communication between Fire Chief George Sheets and the firefighters remains a serious problem. “There is no communication. We’re coexisting. We’re doing things under threat of discipline,” said Schmelzer, who added the teamwork that existed at the house has transformed into a ”dictatorship.”
Mayor Chuck Tokar said Monday that plans to reopen the Lombard Avenue fire station by Christmas have been delayed until the end of January. But he contends that the decision is a good one. The station will be open 12 hours a day during the period that the fire department receives the most calls, Tokar said.
The decision to reopen the Lombard station was made because it is located closer to the village’s residential area than the fire station in the village’s industrial park. Additionally, providing ambulance service from the Lombard Station would reduce the number of times service is provided by neighboring communities—a service for which residents must pay, Tokar said.
But union officials said there are drawbacks to the plan to decrease response times. “While some residents may see a short decrease in response times for an ambulance, under the new plan, fire protection is eliminated within the entire town every time we get an ambulance call. “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,” Schmelzer wrote in his email. “To blindly place all of the village’s already limited resources into an ambulance response is short-sighted at best.”
He added that two firefighters who retired in 2014 and were not replaced, a move that places a strain on the department.
“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. Two of the three shifts are currently staffed with four people, creating overtime whenever a member is off,” he said.
“With all but one member having over 10 years seniority on the department and having the commensurate accrued time off, someone is scheduled off the majority of the time. On these shifts, overtime is created every single time someone is off,” Schmelzer said.
“Don’t believe everything that you hear,” he said, adding that decisions regarding the fire department with “the input and cooperation of the union.” “I understand the union’s position, but I represent the taxpayers of Chicago Ridge,” Tokar said.
The union also has issues with the village’s recent decision to purchase a quint, a fire apparatus that has a pump, water tank, fire hose, aerial device and ground ladders.
Purchase of the quint led the fire department to remove from the fleet an aerial truck and two pumper trucks, one that is badly rusted and requires significant repair, Sheets said. Those vehicles will be sold and the proceeds will be used to help pay for the quint, he said. The quint will cost $685,000, which will be offset by the $250,000 the village expects to receive for the sale of the three vehicles it is removing from the fleet. A $350,000 state loan could be used to pay for the bulk of the balance, Sheets said.
“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,” Schmelzer said.
thanks Dan
#1 by m summa on January 17, 2015 - 11:09 PM
found on Fire Service, Inc. website a 78′ quint on order for Chicago Ridge.
#2 by Frank on January 7, 2015 - 11:38 PM
What manufacturer dId they buy
#3 by al on January 7, 2015 - 11:25 PM
they will take delevery after FDIC in april
#4 by Jacob on January 7, 2015 - 8:07 PM
previous comments on this article have said the sheets bought a quints to replace the tower. one comment shows the tower for sale. also shows that they done to one engine.
#5 by Dennis on January 7, 2015 - 1:55 AM
Jacob, what Quint?
#6 by Jacob on January 7, 2015 - 1:19 AM
anybody hear on how the quint fared at the fire in Chicago Ridge on the 6th?
#7 by Dennis on January 1, 2015 - 7:22 PM
Hopefully this chief is smart enough to adjust his automatic aid for any buildings taller than 3 stories with either Burbank, Crestwood, Evergreen Park, Merrionette Park, North Palos, Roberts Park, or Alsip, all of which have full aerial trucks. The Politian’s do not care about manpower, the Fire Department is a necessary evil. Just as long their village doesn’t make the news they don’t care.
#8 by J on January 1, 2015 - 8:50 AM
If I was a resident of either Oak Lawn or Chi Ridge, I would be worried. IF you live in any multi story apartment building that is set back off the street, and you on the 4th floor or higher, both of their New 75′ Quints wont save you. For a town like Oak Lawn, an ISO 1 Department with a huge number of people in their town, and now Chi-Ridge with the mall and all their apartments…..These Quints wont cut it. It would suck if Evergreen Park’s 100′ RM Truck is on a run and cant respond to either or department auto aid for a fire. Its sad how this chief sheeeeeeets thinks he can benefit from these quints in these 2 towns and then have to rely on auto aid for some REAL TRUCK COMPANIES! Just my 0.02 cents…..
#9 by MABAS 21 on December 31, 2014 - 9:49 PM
Gerald C: The tower ladder was purchased 2 chief’s prior to the current administration when CRFD had adequate staffing (6 a shift with 3 on the Engine or Tower, 2 on the ambulance and a deputy chief in the car). It was the auto aid truck to Oak Lawn and was married with their ambulance crew. The tower benefited their village for the fact that there is a large number of multi family dwellings and of course the mall. For rescue and truck work it was perfect with the reach due to set backs of buildings and versatility of having a platform. For suppression it was perfect for ladder pipe operations especially with its large size pump. It was in great shape, besides it was fully paid for! With the current staffing they still had a crew of 4 when married with the ambulance.
#10 by Gerald C on December 31, 2014 - 2:23 PM
@J.C. – thanx for the link. Answers my questions about its capabilities!
Now I am officially baffled why the rig is being sold…unless it’s the manpower issue again? As a standalone water tower, it would need three ff’s minimum (pump controls, ladder controls, bucket), and if they’re only willing to hire two…I just can’t stop shaking my head at this. Quints need proper staffing, more so than any other type of rig; if you can’t staff it, don’t buy it! If it’s a case of straight-stick vs. bucket, would have been better to have bought a straight-stick in the first place, and not lose money on the TL like this. Irresponsible purchasing all around.
#11 by J.C. on December 30, 2014 - 1:28 PM
Chicago Ridges Tower listed for sale
http://fentonfire.com/used_ladders_and_quints/listing.php?lid=6834
#12 by manny on December 29, 2014 - 6:04 AM
It seems like maybe chief george sheets should be investigated for some of his actions
#13 by al on December 29, 2014 - 12:12 AM
they have a new ambo they got a few months ago…and one reserve…the third is going to esda.
6523 andthe tower 6504 were oss on monday the 22nd when i pulled out the radios and computers
#14 by Madison on December 28, 2014 - 10:28 PM
Not from the area and do not know the politics. As I was reading some of the comments, I did Google Fire Chief George Sheets as a previous commentator suggested. A LINK that came up in this search was for a company named “Great Lakes Pre-Owned Fire Apparatus” that lists a George Sheets as the founder and owner. Can anyone advise if the fire chief and owner are the same person? If he is, I see a conflict of interest in recommending selling the current apparatus and would like to know who they are selling them to??? Seems like it could be very unethical behavior to me, but it does sound like he is devising a master plan to merge Chicago Ridge into the Oak Lawn department. Just an outsiders opinion….
#15 by Robert on December 28, 2014 - 5:05 PM
First time I hear anything about two ambulances responding to calls. Also last I’ve seen they have three ambulances back to back at the station with the new one on the front, the reserve in the middle and the 2nd in the back.
#16 by medic600 on December 28, 2014 - 3:55 PM
why do two ambulances respond to every call? Isn’t that a waste. I’ve never heard of that
#17 by Tom Foley on December 28, 2014 - 3:32 PM
Even before last night’s events at the mall, I was surprised to see the staffing of Chicago Ridge FD.
Staffing sounds very similar to LaGrange down the road from me. A few years back, they ditched their ladder. Only they are relying on mutual aid for any aerial work AND they have a total of three engines. (1 as front line, 1 as mutual aid, and 1 as reserve.)
So, if Chicago Ridge is looking to use a Quint as their frontline unit, that may not be the worst idea. Staffing is already weak for most departments, so I’d suspect if they only staffed it with two, the FFs from the ambo would help operate.
But, what then would Chicago Ridge do for mutual aid? Send their Quint? What happens when their Quint goes OOS?
The only piece here that might make more sense is if this chief is looking to consolidate departments. It might be part of a master plan. (Purely speculation… no knowledge or rumors.)
#18 by manny on December 28, 2014 - 2:38 PM
I’m sure eventually oak lawn will take over
#19 by nugget on December 28, 2014 - 2:02 PM
Lets not forget Sheets and the village somehow found the money to remodel the Lombard street station to accommodate two full-time FF/PM along with the purchase of a new 78′ quint. Putting two FF/PM out of each station. So if one station gets a call your village is OOS without the help of auto-aid. Also its been mentioned before, but selling three pieces of apparatus and hoping to get $250K for all three. They are paid for! Leaving the remainder $435K on the tax payers lap through loans or bonds for ONE quint when 6504 is a quint…..that you own?….If I still lived in this town I would not be quiet on this issue. This is what you pay taxes for. Elected officials that our knowledgable and competent in their job and have the citizens safety and well being at the top of list…look at Sheets track record….he will gone in three years.
#20 by manny on December 28, 2014 - 11:03 AM
After last night’s incident at the mall I would keep the tl and add an engine and maybe a mini pumper
#21 by Braeden on December 28, 2014 - 10:00 AM
Here’s something else to keep in mind when it comes to making the right choice on equipment. And this is based on an outsider opinion. Chicago Ridge uses the tower ladder for mutual/auto aid only. Unless that has changed, that tower doesn’t go anywhere in the village unless it is on the streets coming from an out of town run or staffed by a recall of firefighters when called for. So with that said, does that tower really serve it’s community to the best of it’s ability? By no means as I saying I support reducing staff or equipment, but if I were a resident of Chicago Ridge and knew that, i’d be a little more then upset knowing that the staffing is so low yet the village is running a nearly $1,000,000 ladder truck to serve the neighbors, one of them being Oak Lawn where Mr. Sheets got rid of their 100′ ladder truck.
Also if your bored, Google “fire chief George Sheets” to take a look as his past fire chief jobs throughout the midwest, including his run for the Champaign IL chief’s job in Sept of 2013. He seems to have a trend to destroy then move on!
#22 by Gerald C on December 28, 2014 - 4:16 AM
Who needs reserves when the cost of the shiny new quint needs to be offset? [/sarcasm] That’s optimistically assuming C.Ridge gets their asking prices!
Coming at this from completely outside, is the existing TL really a quint? “Technically”? “Essentially”?! No offense, gentlemen, but I get nervous when weasel words like that get applied to apparatus. Does it meet NFPA requirements for the class or not? The new quint must do *something* better than the TL…greater tankage? More GPM? More hose stored? These aspects might (might!) be worth the tradeoff of stick reach. Assuming the quint can be reasonably afforded, and right now, it sounds like NOT. Also assumes a quint meets the actual needs of the community, something that doesn’t sound like it’s been actually studied….because studies cost money. Hopefully not one man’s “solution in search of a problem”.
By and large, though, investing in personnel sounds like a much more viable idea. Agree with @Michael M there. Cancel the quint, unload the rustbucket engine (inadequately maintained, no doubt) for what can be gotten, keep the other in reserve, and still probably come out ahead.
Only two ff’s on a quint? Ludicrous. One stays to run the pump, and the other can then do… almost precisely nothing, solo. One would think even a politician could understand that. Worried about the taxpayers? Worry about the howls they’ll make if this all goes through, and they don’t get the services they’ve paid for!
#23 by Frank on December 27, 2014 - 9:50 PM
Who makes the quint they purchased?
#24 by Michael M on December 27, 2014 - 1:17 PM
I think it is a wiser use of resources to use any money your city may have to pay for manpower as opposed to equipment.
How many runs does Chicago Ridge get in a year? They have a 2011 Pierce Saber pumper. I believe the engine at Lombard is a 1998? Not to mention the Ambulance that is on this site on Lombard is almost 20 years old! Did Chicago Ridge get a new Ambulance in the last year or two?
#25 by Michael M on December 27, 2014 - 1:08 PM
I agree with MABAS 21. Why would Sheet’s sell a Tower ladder that is technically a quint? Also why would they want to split up their firefighters to two stations? If they do not have the manpower, they should not staff the second station.
I see why they would want to get rid of the engine that is in bad shape. Why not keep the other engine as a reserve?
#26 by B/C Ret. on December 27, 2014 - 11:31 AM
A separate comment on this sad day
What is the difference between Cops and Fire Fighters
Only the tools of or trade
We both wear blue have a strong Faith in God and Country Serve Protect and Save And when the press and politicians throw us under the bus we pick up the pieces and go bact to work
TO ALL THE POLICE AND FIRE PERSONAL AND THE MILITARY WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US REST IN PEACE AND THANK YOU
#27 by MABAS 21 on December 27, 2014 - 10:22 AM
So Sheets sells the 95′ tower ladder, which essentially already is a quint, to downsize to a 78′ stick that will decrease capabilities to not only Chicago Ridge but surrounding departments depending on auto aid and box alarm responses? Then his brightness sells 2 engines, which leaves them with only one engine and 2 ambulances and no reserves? WTF!!!! Way to go…destroy another fire department as you are doing with Oak Lawn! And not to mention screwing over the surrounding departments with your repurcussions! Then do more with less…being they’re manpower already is precariously stretched! It’s ironic that the village can “find” $685k to purchase a unnecessary quint to replace 3 pieces of “paid off” apparatus and not replace any personnel. Wake up residents!!!
#28 by Mike on December 27, 2014 - 8:31 AM
Nice work chief. Your bright idea will completely dismantle this organization and with your love for quints you can financially ruin them too…. Why buy a quint when you have a tower ladder that already has a pump, tank and hose?