It's a severe head scratcher when anyone "takes on" the Volunteer Fire Department. Unless there are some gross mismanagements (such as being drunk when putting out a fire; taking a 7 day cruise for "fire training), which have never been a problem in the Heights, there seems to be no reason, whatsoever, for ever calling out the Volunteer Fire Department on virtually any and all potential issues. Unless, of course, there is a political axe to grind.
First thing's first: we cannot, and almost certainly will never be able to, afford a full-time, paid Fire Department. The costs would be at least $1 million a year. That figure doesn't include the pension issues that would come to bear, either. On top of that, our population count (around 6,300) would not really require a full-time, staffed Fire Department. So, we must count on the volunteer spirit of those who are willing to receive hours upon hours of fire training, along with always the possibility of fighting a fire which might cause physical injury or death.
Why do citizens volunteer for this service that takes up so much time from their lives, and puts them in possible harm's way? Some might enjoy the excitement of it, and will never be full-time fire fighters, so this is there chance to participate, along with doing good for their community. Many like the camraderie, the social aspects, working together for the common good. Some want to receive the training and hands-on expertise of fire fighting that will allow them a leg-up in obtaining a job for a full-time fire fighting department. In many, if not most, cases for the Peoria Heights Fire Fighters, they receive training that is every bit as thorough and intense as Peoria Fire Fighters receive. Of course, there are reasons that are as diverse as the people volunteering; but, in the end, THANK GOD that they are willing to do it.
Now, I'll go one step further... what possesses a person to VOLUNTEER to be Fire Chief for the Village of Peoria Heights? Oh, and before Poison Pen gets rockin' and rollin' over the term "volunteer," let's clear it up that Chief Reichert receives about $300.00 a month for the time he puts into his role. He hasn't told me, as it varies, but I'm betting that his work as Fire Chief takes up around 20-40 hours a week. We'll go with an average of 30 hours a week... so that "pays" him a whopping $2.50 an hour. I was knocking that down, back in '75, at Crystal Ice Company, bagging ice.
Chief Reichert is motivated by his love for Peoria Heights and for fire fighting, in general. He's a rare, rare, rare commodity in these days. But, let me share with you an open letter that Chief Reichert submitted to the Board of Trustees, Administrator Fick, and me, in response to the latest brouhaha (which I'm certain you read about in the Journal Star) concerning former Trustee Scott Owen and his issues with a used police vehicle being transferred to the Fire Department (I obtained Chief Reichert's authorization to share it):
"Mayor, Board of Trustees, and Administrator,
Since being accused of "inside, good ole boy, back room deals" and "wasting" Village funds, I feel there are some things you should know. The following list is all factual, not what I think I know or what someone told me; it is all true and can be proven.
1. We painted the entire inside of Station 1; Village paid for the paint, and we supplied the labor.
2. Painted the entire inside of Station 2; again, the Village supplied the paint, we supplied the labor.
3. Painted the entire Training room in the basement of Village Hall; you guessed it, we supplied the labor.
4. Stuck-gated the intake valve on Engine 654. Len (Jatkowski) took it apart, cleaned, repaired and reassembled it. No charge to the Village. I sent one in for the same thing from Engine 652 and the cost was over $200.
5. 658 was responding to a call when it stopped running. We got it back to 2 House and stayed until we figured out what was wrong; a dead short in one battery. Village paid for the batteries only; Kenny (Martin) replaced the batteries.
6. When we bought new thermal imaging cameras, we installed and wired them ourselves, no labor charges. (Labor rate: $75 - $95/hr.)
7. Gear racks: I took my own trailer to Deer Creek, IL and picked up racks in pieces, to save shipping charges and assembly costs. Letter of credit for $400 on file (shipping charges). Firemen and Ambulance Service assembled the racks over a week's period.
8. Engine 655 was reported to be not starting. On my day off I took the batteries out, got new ones, and tried to install them. I was having trouble (electrical) and called Len Jatkowski at work; he came to Station 2 during his working hours to help. After about 15 minutes, it was determined that a solenoid was stuck. We worked on the truck for about 2 hours until it was fixed. Again, at no labor cost to the Village.
9. I personally change oil in about 10 small engines that run various pieces of equipment, to save the Village money. The Village pays for the oil, but no labor charges.
10. The pump that runs our hydraulic tools for vehicle extrication quit running. Len (Jatkowski) removed the carburetor and cleaned it, reinstalled it and got it working again. No costs to the Village.
11. Kenny (Martin) attended training to become certified to fix Air-Packs. Huge savings for the Village.
12. After the basement was remodeled, Kenny (Martin) and I painted the hallway; it was not included in the work done. No labor costs.
13. After the basement was finished, I contacted a friend who came down and professionally installed all of the cable and Ethernet cable for no costs (labor or materials).
14. I seal coated the drive at Station 2. Village paid for materials only.
15. I had the opportunity to obtain some commercial storage racks for free, if I hauled them away. I gave several to the Ambulance Service for their storage room.
16. Bob Hill had a friend (expert in the field) change sensors and calibrate our gas detector meter. No charge for labor (very expensive to have worked on).
17. Bob (Hill), Len (Jatkowski) and I carpeted the entire downstairs offices. We had to remove the old carpet, scrape the floors, move the furniture, and then do the installation. Village paid only for the carpet.
18. Deb Reichert pays the bills; keeps track of the budget; does all of the maintenance on our computer system and server. No charge to the Village. How much does our computer person get paid when you (the Village) call him in?
19. Kenny Martin, Bob Hill, Len Jatkowski, Brennan Kennedy and I all went to the NIMS 300 and 400 classes at I.C.C. The classes were free. I can't speak for the others, but I lost four days pay to attend these classes, just over $800 for me. I took these classes not for me, but so the Village can be NIMS compliant. If the Village is found not to be compliant, or not working to become compliant, it would not be eligible for FEMA grants, or other federal or state funds.
This is just a partial list from the top of my head; items like these above go on, almost on a daily basis. This is what being a Volunteer means to me, giving of yourself, your time, and your skills, expecting nothing in return. This is the way I was introduced to the Fire Service 26 years ago. I watched as the Chief did without, kept things running longer than they were intended to, kept our gear and equipment past its life expectancy and fought for everything that we got. Over the past 6 plus years, the attitude has changed. The Mayor and Board have seen the need to upgrade the Fire Department, Ambulance, and their equipment. For this I am very grateful.
The statement that Mr. Owen made, "... all this for a Volunteer Fire Chief that does not even go to fires," I find offensive, degrading and slanderous. Mr. Owen may not know it, but Volunteer or paid Chief, they are both held responsible at the same level. The only difference is about $80,000.00 to $200,000.00 per year, plus benefits. His statement "... this was a classic example of inside, good ole boy back room deals!", I find this to be equally offensive and degrading to both me, the Mayor, and whomever else Mr. Owen thinks was involved in this "deal."
In closing, I am asking to be treated with respect and on an equal playing field with the other departments.
Sincerely,
Chief Reichert"
Chief Reichert could have requested a brand new vehicle for the Fire Department, instead of accepting the used police vehicle. And, again, this is a vehicle that is for FIRE DEPARTMENT use, not as personal vehicle for the Chief. Believe me, Chief Reichert has a much nicer vehicle of his own to use for personal reasons. This Fire Department vehicle is used for picking up equipment; going to training classes; emergency responses, etc. Things which the Chief, or any other member of the Fire or Ambulance services should not be using their own personal vehicles for.
It was always puzzling to me as to why a person like Scott Owen, who clearly has some volunteer spirit himself, i.e. cleaning off the Abe Lincoln bust, coordinating much of the past Duryea Days, would create such controversy between himself and VOLUNTEERS for the Village. I just echo the sentiments of virtually everyone in Peoria Heights: THANK YOU to those who do volunteer for the Village.
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