Carpentersville firefighters and village management disagree on staffing

The Daily Herald recently published an article discussing the growing tension between Carpentersville’s IAFF Local 4790 and the village over staffing decisions. According to full-time firefighters, recent cost-cutting measures by the village have led to slower emergency response times, which they claim could put residents at risk. To voice their concerns, the union has started a public awareness campaign, primarily using social media, to highlight what they see as a significant reduction in staffing levels across the three fire stations. However, the village administration disputes these claims, suggesting that the union is simply upset about losing overtime pay under the new contract. Village leaders argue that the campaign is designed to scare the public, emphasizing that the union doesn’t control day-to-day operations. “Management is in charge of the village, not the union,” said Village Manager J. Mark Rooney. The recent three-year contract between the village and the firefighters’ union does not specify a minimum number of firefighters per shift, leading to daily assessments of staffing needs. Al Popp, director of public safety, stated that the goal is to maximize resources across the community. But Lt. Rick Nieves, president of IAFF Local 4790, expressed concern that staffing levels may have dropped to as few as eight firefighters, down from a previous minimum of 11 or 12. Nieves also pointed out that only Station No. 1 can respond with both an ambulance and a fire engine, while the other two stations are limited to one or the other. Previously, all three stations had the capability to dispatch both units. As a result, the village may need to rely more on neighboring fire districts like East Dundee and West Dundee for additional support. “We handle 3,500 calls a year, and with fewer people available, response times will definitely increase,” Nieves said. Although the village hasn’t yet hit the eight-person minimum since the change took effect, the current average is around 11 firefighters on duty, according to Nieves. He admitted he was under the impression the minimum would stay at 12. In addition to this, the union has filed a grievance over the use of part-time firefighters to staff fire engines, claiming it violates the contract. Meanwhile, the union has been actively engaging the public through its Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as meeting with local community leaders like Tom Roeser and a homeowners association. Village Manager Rooney defended the decision to use part-time firefighters, saying it helps save money and keep equipment operational. He noted that part-timers earn about $15.55 per hour, compared to full-timers who make up to $45.06 when on overtime. While the contract allows for a minimum of three firefighters per engine, Rooney clarified that the definition of "firefighters" in the agreement refers specifically to full-time employees. Despite this, he continues to use part-time staff, arguing that it’s a more efficient way to manage resources. The three-year contract includes 2% annual raises for full-time firefighters and a 7.14% raise for lieutenants in the first year. Over the next three years, the village expects to save approximately $300,000 in overtime costs. Rooney also emphasized that the main issue with the union is the reduction in overtime pay. He explained that the village used to hire back full-time firefighters if someone called in sick, but with 24-hour shifts, that often led to high overtime costs. The new contract gives more flexibility in staffing based on daily needs. “They’ve had things their way for years, and now they have to get with the program,” Rooney said, referring to the full-time firefighters. Village President Ed Ritter supports Rooney’s approach, stating that reducing overtime across all departments is a top priority. However, Nieves insists that the issue isn’t about overtime. Instead, he believes the public has a right to know about the potential service cuts resulting from the staffing changes. “It’s not just about money—it’s about safety,” he said. Thanks, Dan.

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