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Merrionette Park Fire Department (more)
In recent developments reported by the Chicago Tribune, tensions have surfaced within the Merrionette Park Fire Department following the village's decision not to reappoint several long-standing officials during last month’s board meeting. This move has sparked controversy, leading to the resignation of at least a dozen members from the department, which operates on an on-call basis.
Deputy Chief Pat Carter, Captain Tom Ziolkowski, Lieutenant Jim Carter, and secretary Katie Quinn Schneider were among those whose positions were unexpectedly terminated. Firefighter Tony Calzaretta highlighted that it was customary for these roles to be renewed annually unless there was evidence of misconduct. The lack of an explanation for these dismissals has left many puzzled, especially given the usual transparency in such matters.
The changes occurred concurrently with the appointment of Thomas J. Wendt as the new fire chief. Wendt, previously a part-time lieutenant in Calumet Park and former head of the Dixmoor Fire Department, stepped into the role left vacant by Chief Leonard Edling, who retired at the end of April. Although initially accepted by the firefighters due to Wendt’s local residency and extensive leadership background, his tenure has been met with resistance following the abrupt removal of key figures from the department.
Village spokesperson Pete DiCianni refrained from commenting on the specific reasons behind the terminations, citing them as personnel issues. Mayor Dennis Magee later issued a statement expressing gratitude toward the outgoing members but dismissed the resignations as disgruntled reactions. He suggested that many of those who quit rarely participated actively in emergency responses. According to village records, eight out of the twelve resigning firefighters had attended fewer than 10% of this year’s emergencies, while three hadn’t responded to any calls at all, and another had only attended 1%.
To address the staffing shortfall, Chief Wendt proposed introducing seven new recruits at the upcoming village board meeting in May. Additionally, he intends to overhaul the department’s operational model by ensuring two members are always present at the firehouse to handle smaller incidents. Larger emergencies would then call for reinforcements as needed. Previously, the firehouse remained unstaffed, relying on firefighters responding via dispatch—a method Wendt deemed inefficient and potentially wasteful.
Financial records reveal that Merrionette Park spends approximately $150,000 annually on its firefighters, excluding the $40,500 salary for the chief position. These adjustments aim to streamline operations and ensure better preparedness for future crises. Despite these efforts, the situation remains tense, with lingering questions about the rationale behind the dismissals and the broader implications for the department’s dynamics.
As the dust settles, the community awaits further developments and hopes for a resolution that strengthens rather than divides the firefighting force.