The Better Government Association is once again focusing its attention on the Tri-State Fire Protection District with this latest article:
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**More Smoke Rises Over Tri-State**
December 30, 2013
Firefighters, of all people, understand that where there's smoke, there's often trouble brewing. And now, several firefighters in the western suburbs are growing increasingly concerned about the "smoke" emanating from their own department.
A series of investigative articles by the Better Government Association on the Darien-based Tri-State Fire Protection District has already uncovered excessive spending, conflicts of interest, and pension "spiking" within the agency. Since these revelations, a string of unusual incidents have transpired at the district, sparking further skepticism among the rank-and-file and casting doubt on the leadership of Tri-State.
The most recent controversy involves confidential tape recordings from the board of trustees' closed-door sessions. The board, consisting of three elected officials, is supposed to follow specific guidelines under the Illinois Open Meetings Act when holding private discussions about sensitive topics like litigation or personnel matters. These discussions must be recorded verbatim, either through audio or video.
Until recently, these closed-session tapes were kept at the home shared by Trustee Jill Strenzel and Fire Chief Michelle Gibson, who have been in a long-term relationship and officially entered a civil union in 2012.
When Trustee Michael Orrico expressed concerns during a public meeting in September about the tapes' storage location and the accuracy of the meeting minutes, Strenzel explained that the tapes were being kept at her house due to renovations at the Tri-State station. She suggested that Orrico could arrange to listen to them if he wished. However, this turned out to be easier said than done.
Seven special meetings were arranged to review the tapes, but at least four of these were eventually canceled. One incident in particular stands out as particularly odd.
On November 21, Burr Ridge police were called to the Tri-State station on Madison Street in Burr Ridge after Strenzel reported a burglary. She claimed someone had broken into a district safe containing the tapes and other documents. According to police reports obtained by the BGA via the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, Strenzel was present at the station and began removing papers from the safe when she paused, worried that unauthorized access might have occurred.
Following their investigation, the police determined that nothing was missing from the safe. With insufficient evidence, they couldn't confirm a crime had taken place and classified the incident as "suspicious circumstances." Strenzel, who alone holds the key and combination to the safe, asked an officer what steps she should take if it was discovered that the tapes had been erased using a magnet. The officer advised her to contact the authorities, records show.
Later that night, around midnight on November 22, the police were summoned again to the station. This time, they were asked to help move items from a compromised safe into a new one. Although officers declined to physically assist, they observed Strenzel transfer three envelopes, five plastic bags containing audio tapes, 11 manila envelopes, and one recording device from one safe to another.
This alleged break-in happened just days after another peculiar event involving the district's tapes. On November 18, before a regular board meeting commenced, Strenzel reportedly fell outside the station and accidentally broke two empty tape recorders. In response, a district attorney requested that an employee purchase a new recording device so the board could hold a closed session meeting, as documented in the meeting minutes.
What exactly transpired during these closed sessions remains shrouded in mystery. At the December 17 regular board meeting, the trustees voted (with Strenzel and Hamilton "Bo" Gibbons in favor, and Orrico opposed) to approve and maintain confidentiality over the minutes from several closed sessions held throughout the previous year.
In other developments at Tri-State, paramedics and emergency medical technicians employed by Public Safety Services Inc., but working at Tri-State, are attempting to form a union. More than half of the workers have signed cards indicating their desire for union representation, according to an official with the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics. An election is scheduled for the end of the month, with results expected to be announced early next year.
As part of this unionization effort, Fire Chief Michelle Gibson announced that Shelly Carbone, who oversees the paramedics at Tri-State, will no longer serve as the EMS coordinator due to a new role within PSSI at the corporate level. PSSI has not responded to phone inquiries.
With all the recent turmoil at the western suburban fire district, it seems like cracks are beginning to appear in the foundation of Tri-State. Meanwhile, firefighters remain vigilant, watching the growing clouds of uncertainty gather above their department.
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*Thanks, Dan & Scott.*
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