Recently, The Daily Herald covered a developing dispute between the Carpentersville IAFF Local 4790 and the village regarding staffing levels. Full-time firefighters claim that recent cost-cutting measures by the village have led to slower emergency response times, potentially putting residents' safety at risk. To raise awareness, the union has been actively campaigning through social media, urging the public to take notice of what they see as inadequate staffing at the village's three fire stations.

According to the firefighters, the changes implemented by the village administration are causing delays in response times. These delays, they argue, could have serious consequences for residents during emergencies. In response to these concerns, the union has been vocal on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, even meeting with local homeowner associations and influential figures like businessman Tom Roeser to highlight their grievances.

On the flip side, the village insists that the union's concerns are more about preserving overtime opportunities than addressing actual safety risks. Village Manager J. Mark Rooney emphasized that management—not the union—oversees daily operations. “Management is in charge of the village, not the union,” Rooney stated clearly.

One of the key issues revolves around the recent three-year contract agreement that doesn't mandate a specific minimum number of firefighters per shift. Instead, Al Popp, Director of Public Safety, mentioned that the village is assessing staffing dynamically to maximize resources. However, Lieutenant Rick Nieves, representing the union, expressed concerns that staffing levels might drop as low as eight firefighters, compared to the previous minimum of 11 or 12. This change affects all three stations, but Station No. 1 remains the only one capable of deploying both an ambulance and a fire engine simultaneously. The other two stations will now send either one or the other, reducing overall capability.

Consequently, neighboring fire protection districts such as East Dundee, West Dundee, and Rutland Dundee may need to step in more frequently to compensate for these changes. Nieves noted that with approximately 3,500 calls annually, the reduced staffing poses a significant challenge. “There’s no doubt the response times will increase,” he admitted.

Despite these concerns, officials admit that since the changes took effect on October 19th, the lowest recorded staffing level has been 10 firefighters on duty, with an average of 11. Nieves initially believed the village would maintain a 12-person minimum, so the current levels came as a surprise.

Adding fuel to the fire, the union recently filed a grievance over a separate issue, alleging that the contract was breached when three part-time firefighters were assigned to fire engines. Meanwhile, the union continues to push its message publicly, leveraging various channels to inform the community.

Village President Ed Ritter supports Rooney's stance, emphasizing that reducing overtime costs is a priority for the board. Rooney explained that part-time firefighters, who earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts, are being utilized more strategically to keep costs down while maintaining operational capacity. Under the new contract, part-time firefighters are allowed to operate fire engines, something Rooney claims helps avoid cutting essential services.

Financially, the three-year contract costs the village $572,000 and includes annual 2% raises for full-time firefighters, with lieutenants receiving higher increases in the first year (7.14%) and smaller increments in subsequent years (2%). Rooney highlighted that the real bone of contention lies in the reduction of overtime spending, which is expected to save the village around $300,000 over the contract period. Previously, the village would hire back full-time firefighters if someone called in sick, a costly measure. Now, the new arrangement provides greater flexibility in staffing decisions based on immediate needs.

Rooney expressed frustration with the union's resistance to adapting to these changes. “They have to understand that they work for the residents, not the other way around,” he remarked. “For years, they've enjoyed certain privileges; now they must adjust.”

Nieves, however, refuted claims that the dispute centers on overtime. “Residents deserve transparency,” he argued. “They need to know about the potential risks associated with these staffing adjustments.”

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June 21, 2025