Carpentersville Fire Department news
Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com: The Carpentersville Fire Department is preparing for a major leadership transition as Chief John Skillman is set to retire this spring after 29 years of service. A lifelong resident of the area, Skillman has held various roles within the department, including deputy fire chief, battalion chief, and lieutenant. He was appointed as fire chief just over a year ago, following the departure of former Public Safety Director Al Popp. With Skillman's retirement, an external search has begun for his successor, marking the third leadership change since long-time Chief John Schuldt retired in 2013. The process will be managed by GovHR USA, which will screen candidates based on criteria provided by the village. The new chief is expected to earn between $125,000 and $155,000 annually, depending on experience. In addition to the leadership changes, recent personnel adjustments have seen Deputy Chief Kevin Rynders removed from his position, which has now been "civilianized." While the reasons behind Rynders' departure remain unclear, officials have not commented publicly on the matter. Once a new chief is selected, the village plans to conduct a thorough review of the fire department’s structure, including the future of the deputy chief role. Kathy Lamkin, the interim director of human resources, emphasized that the goal is to align the department with the village board’s strategic objectives, including reducing overtime costs. Village Board President Ed Ritter expressed a desire for a leader who can bring about cultural change, heal past tensions, and foster better relationships with the International Association of Firefighters Local 4790. “We need someone who can move us forward and create a more positive environment,†he said. Union President Rick Nieves acknowledged that while there were occasional disagreements with previous leaders, the relationship with Skillman and Rynders had generally been cooperative. However, he noted that the current situation has created uncertainty, especially with the ongoing layoffs and restructuring efforts. The relationship between the village and the fire union has been strained at times, with the fire chief often caught in the middle. Nieves called for collaboration and transparency, emphasizing that the union is ready to work with the village to address staffing needs and financial challenges. Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com: Members of the Carpentersville International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4790 are expressing deep concern over the upcoming layoff of two full-time firefighters, scheduled to take effect on April 22. This comes just as contract negotiations were beginning, according to Union President Lt. Rick Nieves, who called the decision "unfortunate" and criticized the village for not using flexible scheduling effectively to manage manpower shortages. Nieves pointed out that the union had already made concessions in 2014 by agreeing to a swing-shift system designed to reduce overtime costs. At the time, the village promised that no full-time firefighters would be laid off during the term of the collective bargaining agreement, which expired in 2016. In return, the union withdrew a grievance related to previous layoffs. However, Nieves claims that the village opted out of the swing-shift plan just days before announcing the layoffs. He also highlighted that other departments have received raises and that the village has delayed replacing injured or retiring staff, further straining the overtime budget. A recent staffing study commissioned by the village suggests that each of the three fire stations should have four firefighters on duty at all times. Nieves urged the village to act on these recommendations and stressed that the union is committed to supporting the community through any crisis, including financial ones. Despite the village president’s claims of financial necessity, many firefighters feel that the layoffs are unnecessary, especially given the recent leadership changes. Nieves hopes for a resolution that reflects mutual respect and cooperation between the village and the union. Thanks, Dan Rigging Hardware,Eye Grab Hook,Clevis Slip Hook,Clevis Slip Hook With Latch Yangzhou Jieerte Steel Cable Co., Ltd , https://www.jieertesteelcable.com