Here's a detailed update based on excerpts from the Chicago Tribune website:
Chicago Ridge and Oak Lawn have mutually agreed to conclude their unique collaboration, which saw them share a single fire chief over the past year. Following this decision, George Sheets will revert to exclusively heading the Oak Lawn Fire Department once Chicago Ridge recruits a full-time replacement. Sheets expressed his desire to concentrate fully on his role as Oak Lawn’s fire chief, a position he has held for six years.
Chicago Ridge's mayor, Chuck Tokar, acknowledged the village's gratitude toward Sheets but noted that he has committed to staying on until a suitable candidate is found, potentially taking up to three to six months. Tokar also expressed regret over the termination of this innovative partnership, stating, “The arrangement was working smoothly, and I would have liked to keep it going. However, managing two fire departments simultaneously proved to be quite challenging.â€
Since taking over both roles last year, Sheets has divided his time between the two communities, dedicating approximately two days per week to Chicago Ridge. He succeeded Robert Muszynski, who stepped down in 2014 due to personal disputes with certain village officials, particularly Tokar, regarding potential changes to the fire department. At the time, Tokar wished to reopen a firehouse located at 107th Street and Lombard Avenue without hiring the additional firefighters Muszynski deemed necessary. Instead, the station was brought back into operation using part-time staff.
An advertisement posted on the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association website highlights Sheets' achievements in Chicago Ridge, such as reopening the fire station and cutting personnel expenses. It further mentions that the incoming chief's compensation will be determined based on their experience. Under Sheets' leadership, Chicago Ridge implemented a part-time firefighter program that now includes 11 members and is expected to grow to around 15. This initiative enables Chicago Ridge to maintain six firefighters on duty per shift—more than previously—and Sheets indicated that the system is functioning effectively. Currently, the fire station at 107th and Lombard operates for 12 hours daily, but it will extend its hours to 24/7 by August.
As per their previous agreement, Chicago Ridge had been covering one-third of Sheets' salary, amounting to $37,695, since July of the prior year. The department consists of 13 full-time firefighters alongside 23 others serving either part-time or as paid-on-call volunteers. For the fiscal year 2015, the fire department's budget stood at $2.7 million, handling approximately 2,600 calls annually, the majority of which pertained to medical emergencies.
Oak Lawn's mayor, Sandra Bury, clarified that neither she nor the town council pressured Sheets to return to full-time service in Oak Lawn. She emphasized, “No, no, no. Everyone gains from shared resources.â€
Thanks, Dan!
Incline Olympic Bench,Incline Weight Bench,Commercial Incline Bench Press,Weight lifting barbell rack
HEBEI HONGKANG SPORTS EQUIPMENT CO., LTD , https://www.hkangsports.com