The Southtown Star recently published an article regarding the resignation of Chicago Ridge Fire Chief Robert Muszynski. It seems that personal differences between the chief and the village's elected officials arose due to disagreements over proposed changes within the fire department. Chief Muszynski's decision to step down came shortly after the village board prompted Mayor Chuck Tokar to explore options for improving the efficiency of firefighter and/or ambulance services. This move has left local firefighters feeling uneasy about their job security. Mayor Tokar mentioned that potential adjustments might involve outsourcing ambulance services to a private company, joining a fire protection district, or stationing a second ambulance at the former firehouse located at 107th Street and Lombard Avenue. Currently, three older fire trucks are kept there primarily for training purposes by the on-call firefighters, who assist during busy periods. The primary firehouse, which opened five years ago in an industrial park on the western edge of Chicago Ridge, is approximately two to three miles away from the village’s residential center. Concerns have been raised about this distance potentially delaying response times for emergency calls, which are sometimes attended to by neighboring communities. Introducing a second ambulance would require hiring up to eight additional firefighters, according to Chief Muszynski. However, Mayor Tokar argued that such an expansion isn't financially feasible given the village’s budget constraints. He noted that increasing the workforce to ensure round-the-clock coverage would significantly raise the village’s annual pension contributions, pushing them above the million-dollar mark. "Hiring seven or eight more people is just too costly," Tokar stated.
When it became clear that Chief Muszynski wouldn't compromise, the board pressured Tokar to demand his resignation. The chief formally submitted his resignation on Monday. Firefighter/paramedic Christ Schmelzer, who serves as president of Chicago Ridge Professional Firefighters Local 3098, expressed concerns about the current atmosphere within the firehouse. "There's a lot of tension right now. Nobody has reassured us that everything will be okay, so everyone is anxious," Schmelzer shared.
At 58 years old, Robert Muszynski brings extensive experience from his previous roles at the Skokie and Schaumburg fire departments. He was appointed chief in early 2011, and Mayor Tokar acknowledged being satisfied with his tenure thus far. Despite these recent developments, Tokar assured that no full-time employees would lose their jobs. Instead, he emphasized the need for improved operational efficiency. Outside agencies like Alsip, Bridgeview, North Palos, and Oak Lawn frequently handle a substantial portion of Chicago Ridge's ambulance requests. Adding another ambulance could reduce reliance on external resources while benefiting local residents economically. Additionally, Tokar suggested cutting back on the number of personnel dispatched per call—from two firefighter/paramedics to one—and eliminating the practice of sending a fire truck along with every ambulance response to save costs.
According to data from a June 4 interview with Schmelzer, the union currently comprises 12 firefighter/paramedics and one lieutenant, compared to 17 members several years ago. A letter from Local 3098 highlighted that last year, the fire department received 2,424 service requests, of which 1,599 were for ambulances. Of those, the department successfully addressed 87%, only calling upon outside agencies when they were occupied with other emergencies. The letter also acknowledged potential advantages of joining a protection district but urged thorough scrutiny of all aspects involved in any merger proposal. In a recent communication to residents, the village hinted at significant transformations ahead, suggesting no objection to having part-time staff if necessary.
Negotiations between the administration and the firefighters' union remain ongoing, typically characterized by intense discussions and mutual accusations. Starting salaries for firefighters stand at $45,000, yet there has been only one new hire in the past decade. Short staffing has led to increased overtime expenses; for instance, the village spent $45,000 on overtime over six weeks alone. Including overtime pay, the maximum total compensation reaches over $100,000 annually. Mayor Tokar intends to consult further with efficiency experts to identify ways to enhance operations in Chicago Ridge. Thanks, Dieterich! Wire Mesh,Ss Mesh,Stainless Wire Mesh,Stainless Steel Chicken Wire ANPING COUNTY ANSHENG WIRE MESHES PRODUCT CO.,LTD. , https://www.aswiremesh.com