Story posted Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Fire District Adding 2 To Ranks
By RICHARD MAYER Assistant Managing Editor
Beginning Monday, June 1, a new firefighter will join the Prospect Hts. Fire District at a base salary of $50,713.
According to Fire Chief Donald Gould, the newly appointed firefighter, whose name remains undisclosed, will begin training on day shifts for two weeks before considered "on-duty".
That firefighter will be given a one-year probation and reviewed monthly by his superiors.
The Fire District is close to hiring a second firefighter, who Gould says is close to finishing necessary requirements, such as background checks and physical and psychological examinations.
The second firefighter could be announced with the first individual at the next Fire District board meeting on Tuesday, June 16.
A total of 31 individuals applied for two vacant positions, added Gould.
In other Fire District news:
During the Fire District's May 19 regular board of trustees meeting, Gould informed board members that $150 was raised during the Baskin Robbins $0.31 scoop night on Apr. 29 for children to attend a burn camp.
Close to 220 people attended a pancake breakfast on May 3 at Fire Station 9 hosted by the Fire District and Prospect Hts. Lions Club. According to Deputy Chief Tim Jones, about $900 after expenses was raised from that event.
Gould said during the month of April the district received a total of 127 calls, 32 less than at the end of April 2008. So far in 2009, the district has received 556 calls, 105 less than the first four months of last year.
During that same meeting, Gould and other trustees discussed an action plan they would like to see accomplished before the end of this year.
In regards to personnel, the board would like to complete the full-time firefighter/paramedic exam and establish an eligibility list only if the list is depleted; convert one part-time position per shift to a full-time position; and complete and establish an eligibility list from a lieutenant's list.
Based on the Apparatus Replacement Schedule, the Fire District is looking to place a minimum of $150,000 into its reserve fund each year to fund the replacement program.
That money would go toward a new staff vehicle, new ambulance and repairing and painting of Engine 39.
According to the Fire District's action plan, building improvements should be included in the budget each year to provide for repairs and improvements on an as need basis.
Each budget year, staff is to evaluate items in need of repairs or replacements.
This year, the rear parking lot at Fire Station 9, located near Elmhurst and Camp McDonald roads, needs repair.
"The back parking lot is falling apart," said Jones.
Other components of the action plan include: preparing and distributing two Fire District newsletters; new office equipment; continue working on annexation of the Forest River area and Glenbrook area's east side; and installation of Opticom (stoplight activation) equipment at Milwaukee Avenue and Apple Drive and Milwaukee Avenue and River Road during proposed construction.
This August, trustees are expected to discuss the action plan further and review revenue estimates and other cost related issues.
Also at the May board meeting, Board President James Cagney was elected to serve another year as president in addition to current Treasurer Jon Tammen appointed to serve another year in that position. Trustee Al Kotlarz will serve as treasurer. Each position spans one year while each term lasts three years.
Lastly, according to Gould, Kotlarz was recently in the hospital after he had "circulatory issues" and was operated on. Gould said he was at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for about 10 days and is now rehabbing and should be back for the June 16 regular board meeting.
Kotlarz, 79, was appointed to fill a vacant seat in March 2008 left by former Trustee Anthony Carlin in January 2008.
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