Carpentersville Fire Department news (more)
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Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
Amid ongoing contract negotiations, two firefighters from Carpentersville are set to be laid off by the end of the month, with further staffing reductions potentially coming in other village departments, according to officials. The situation has sparked concern among local firefighters, who argue that reducing personnel below optimal levels could compromise public safety and lead to higher overtime expenses.
Rick Nieves, president of the Carpentersville Professional Firefighters Union (IAFF Local 4790), criticized the village's approach, stating that the union had made efforts to reduce overtime through flexible scheduling. “We agreed to a swing shift model in 2014 to address manpower shortages, but it didn’t work as intended,†he said. “The village failed to use this strategy effectively, which only worsened the situation.â€
Village Manager Mark Rooney explained that the swing shift program did not achieve the expected $75,000 annual savings, which had been a key condition for avoiding layoffs. Since 2010, the village has cut 33 positions, reducing full-time staff from 207 to 174 through reorganization and attrition. While the fire department has largely avoided major cuts—losing just one firefighter over the years—Rooney emphasized that the current budget deficit of $800,000 is driven by rising labor, healthcare, and pension costs.
Other departments may also face cuts. In May, the village will begin talks with the union representing 19 civilian employees. Additionally, cost-cutting measures have included replacing a police commander position with a lower-paid civilian employee. The former commander earned about $115,000 plus benefits, while the new hire will make $80,000 without benefits.
Despite the challenges, the village managed to close last year’s budget in the black, even though it had initially projected a $500,000 deficit. If sales tax revenues and state funding meet or exceed expectations, the deficit could shrink significantly, according to Rooney.
Nieves, however, pointed out that the village isn’t cutting all areas equally. He noted that Rooney received a 5.5% raise last year, increasing his salary to around $167,000 as of January 2015. “It doesn’t make sense to lay off firefighters when other employees are getting raises,†he said.
According to Nieves, a recent consolidation study highlighted the need for at least four firefighters per station. However, Station 91, located in the Old Town area, often operates with just three firefighters, limiting its ability to respond effectively to emergencies. Rooney, on the other hand, insists that the cuts won’t affect public safety, as part-time staff will cover any shortfalls. “We don’t have four firefighter/paramedics in every station every day, but it’s only a minority of shifts,†he added.
Both sides are scheduled to return to the negotiating table on April 20 to avoid the layoffs, which are set to take effect on April 22. They aim to reach a new agreement before the current contract expires at the end of the month.