The *Daily Herald* recently published an article highlighting the growing tension between Carpentersville’s Local 4790 of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the village over staffing decisions. According to the firefighters, recent cost-cutting measures by the village have led to longer response times, which they claim could put residents in danger. In response, the union has launched a public awareness campaign, primarily using social media, to draw attention to what they see as a significant reduction in staffing levels at the three fire stations.
However, the village administration disputes this, suggesting that the union is simply upset about the loss of overtime pay under the new contract. Village leaders argue that the union's campaign is more of a scare tactic than a genuine concern for public safety. "Management is in charge of the village, not the union," said Village Manager J. Mark Rooney, emphasizing that staffing decisions fall under his authority.
A key point of contention is the lack of a minimum staffing requirement per shift in the newly negotiated three-year contract. Al Popp, the director of public safety, explained that the village is managing staffing on a day-to-day basis to ensure optimal coverage across all three stations. But Lt. Rick Nieves, president of Local 4790, says he's worried that the number of firefighters on duty has dropped to as few as eight, down from a previous minimum of 11 or 12. The union represents 32 full-time firefighters.
Nieves also pointed out that only Station No. 1 is now able to respond with both an ambulance and a fire engine, while the other two stations can only send one or the other. Previously, each station had the capability to dispatch both. As a result, the village may need to rely more on neighboring fire protection districts like East Dundee, West Dundee, and Rutland Dundee to cover any gaps.
"We handle 3,500 calls a year, and with fewer people available, response times are definitely going to increase," Nieves said. While the village hasn’t yet hit the eight-person minimum since the policy change on October 19, the average number of firefighters on duty has been around 11, according to Nieves. He had expected the minimum to remain at 12, but now sees a problem.
In addition to the staffing concerns, the union has filed a grievance over the use of part-time firefighters to operate fire engines, claiming it violates the contract. Meanwhile, the union has been actively engaging with the public through its Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as meeting with local homeowners and business leaders like Tom Roeser.
Village Manager Rooney defends the use of part-time firefighters, saying it helps save money and keeps equipment operational. He noted that part-timers earn about $15.55 per hour, compared to full-timers who make $30.04 per hour on average, plus $45.06 during overtime. The contract allows part-timers to drive firetrucks, and Rooney says he's using them more efficiently to avoid service cuts.
The three-year agreement, which costs the village $572,000, includes 2% annual raises for full-time firefighters and a 7.14% raise for lieutenants in the first year. Rooney claims the contract will save about $300,000 in overtime over three years. He also mentioned that hiring back full-time staff when someone is absent used to cost $1,080 per day in overtime, but the new system offers more flexibility.
Rooney criticized the union for what he called a "selfish" attitude, arguing that firefighters should see their role as serving the community, not just receiving pay and benefits. "They’ve had it their way for a long time," he said. Village President Ed Ritter supports Rooney, stating that reducing overtime costs is a top priority for the board.
Despite this, Nieves insists that the issue isn't about overtime, but about transparency. "The community has a right to know about the service cuts that are coming," he said.
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