Archive for May 22nd, 2018

Joliet Fire Department news

Excerpts from the Herald-news.com:

The City of Joliet is taking a closer look at overtime costs, especially in the fire and police departments.

The fire department has spent more than $1 million on overtime, which is 60 percent of its overtime budget for the year, according to a report presented to the Joliet City Council Finance Committee this week.

The police department has spent only 26 percent of its overtime budget, although the total of $652,000 makes it the second-highest among city departments.

Administration is preparing an analysis of police and fire overtime for the Finance Committee, City Manager David Hales told the committee.

The issue of fire department overtime came up in February, when Fire Chief Joseph Formhals sought council approval for the acquisition of a truck, which would have required lower staffing. He said he was trying to address overtime amid staffing shortages. Firefighters objected. The mayor called the $300,000 spent in December on fire department overtime obscene. Eventually, the plan was shelved.

The analysis presented next month will consider the effect of vacant positions on overtime, as well as how sick time and time off for workers’ compensation contribute to the costs. The size of overtime budgets tends to be connected to the size of the departments and the need to call in staff for emergency help.

The city has spent $507,000 on overtime in the Public Works Department through March. Public works has used up a higher percentage of its annual overtime budget, 73 percent, than the fire department.

Other departments have used even higher percentages of the budget, even though the overtime costs are relatively low. The financed has used 94 percent of its overtime budget while spending a little more than $7,000. 

So far this year, the city has spent about $2.6 million on overtime.

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Cancer in the fire service (more)

Excerpts from the Poughkeepsiejournal.com:

A bill, which has passed the Senate and is in the House of Representatives, calls for the creation of a national firefighter cancer registry. The registry would be managed by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. The registry would compile the incidences, make anonymous data available to researchers, and allow for increased collaboration between firefighters, experts and those investigating the links between the profession and the illnesses. The House of Representatives is expected to pass amended legislation in the coming weeks.

Research that has found a strong connection between firefighting and an increased risk for several major cancers including testicular, stomach, multiple myeloma and brain cancers. Firefighters are exposed to a range of harmful toxins such as asbestos and flame retardants that are linked to cancer.

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Glenside FPD news (more)

Excerpts from wgntv.com:

It’s been nearly three weeks since eight teens were burned at a weekend bonfire in Lombard. Four of them suffered severe burns and had to be hospitalized. Two remain at the hospital.

Alyssa Wolff, 15,  is many things: A varsity cheerleader, a friend, a school leader and now, three weeks after the accident, she’s also a motivator, hero and fighter.

“It was just like a huge explosion and the first instinct was to help my friends,” she said.

One of the boys attending the gathering poured gasoline on the dwindling flames. All of a sudden, he was on fire. She said she remembered what she learned in kindergarten. She stopped, dropped and rolled. Then she realized her friends were injured more than she was.

She burned her wrist trying to help one, who was in shock.

Firefighters and paramedics arrived quickly and all four of the friends were taken to the hospital and eventually they were taken to Loyola Medical Center’s burn unit, where two are still going through painful procedures.

She is home now and her street lined with red ribbons. And her recovery is going well. Her swollen burned face is healing beautifully. She said she knows how lucky she is. She said the experience has been life changing and has charted the course for her future. She wants to be a nurse and work in the burn unit at Loyola.

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New home for Dixmoor fire engine

This from Jeff Rudolph:

Former Dixmoor, IL engine now owned by Maaco auto body in Wheeling ,IL
Jeff Rudolph

American LaFrance fire engine

Former Dixmoor fire engine. Jeff Rudolph photo

American LaFrance fire engine

Former Dixmoor fire engine. Jeff Rudolph photo

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