Elmhurst Fire Department news

The Elmhurst Fire Department is currently facing a staffing crisis, with three firefighter positions remaining unfilled due to state budget constraints. This shortage has sparked concerns among residents and city officials alike.

At the April 18 City Council meeting, Elmhurst City Manager Jim Grabowski addressed the issue after multiple residents raised it during previous meetings. Among them was Geoff Gaebel, a firefighter from a neighboring municipality, who highlighted that the department has been operating at its lowest staffing level since 1999 for over a year.

Gaebel warned that running fire trucks with fewer than three personnel increases risks not only for firefighters but also for the community. He referenced studies from the National Fire Protection Association and the City Managers Association, which emphasize that a minimum of four firefighters are needed for critical operations such as water pumping, search and rescue, and emergency response.

Despite these concerns, Grabowski maintained that the department is still meeting expected standards. He explained that the city is unable to fill the vacancies due to the ongoing Illinois budget crisis, which could lead to a $2.2 million reduction in Elmhurst’s revenue. As a result, the city is relying on overtime to cover all shifts, with firefighters receiving time-and-a-half pay.

Alderman Mark Mulliner expressed concern about the burden placed on firefighters, noting that requiring them to work double shifts can be dangerous and unsustainable. He also questioned the city manager's reasoning, pointing out that other recent hires contradict the claim of financial hardship.

“We’re down four now,” Mulliner added, mentioning that the department is also missing a chief position. The situation has sparked ongoing debate about the long-term impact of understaffing on both public safety and firefighter well-being.

Excerpts from ChicagoTribune.com:

Residents have been vocal about the staffing levels at the Elmhurst Fire Department, particularly following comments made by Geoff Gaebel, a lifelong Elmhurst resident and firefighter in another town. He criticized the city for not replacing three firefighters—two who retired and one on medical leave—arguing that this has brought the department to its lowest staffing level in decades.

City Manager James Grabowski responded by explaining that the department is currently covering the gaps through overtime, with each shift staffed by an Elmhurst firefighter working at time-and-a-half pay. He also mentioned the city’s contract with Metro Paramedic Services, which provides two advanced life support ambulances and 12 paramedics.

Grabowski cited the uncertainty of the state budget and the terms of the firefighter union contract as reasons for not hiring replacements. “We’d just like to see our manning restored,” said Ed Siuzdak, an Elmhurst firefighter and member of the local fire union. However, he noted that no clear commitment had been made to hire additional personnel.

Siuzaq also discussed the need to upgrade fire engines with advanced life support equipment, including monitors and drugs, to better support paramedics. However, Grabowski emphasized that such upgrades would require additional resources and personnel, raising questions about their feasibility under current conditions.

The debate over staffing and budget continues, with many concerned about the long-term effects on both firefighter safety and the community’s emergency response capabilities.

Thanks, Dan

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