I just got off the phone with a few of my firefighter friends from Merrionette Park, and I’ve got to say, things there are really chaotic right now. Over a dozen firefighters either quit or weren’t re-appointed, which has left the department seriously understaffed—basically cut down to less than half its normal size. But surprisingly, Fire Chief Tom Wendt insists everything is under control.
This little village isn’t even half a square mile, yet it relies on a fire department where the guys only get paid when they're actually called out. These firefighters are basically volunteers who are appointed annually. Tony Calzaretta, who's the vice president of the firefighter's association, told me he and 13 others stepped down after Chief Wendt swapped out three long-time senior officers—a deputy chief, a captain, and a lieutenant. Chief Wendt took over back in April after Chief Len Edling retired, and he claims the firefighters who left weren’t showing up for most of the calls anyway.
Now, Wendt plans to bring in 10 new recruits at the next village board meeting on May 17th. Starting next month, they’ll also have two full-time firefighters on duty at the station 24/7. But Calzaretta doesn’t seem too optimistic about these new hires. He thinks they won’t have the same level of expertise and experience as those they’re replacing.
Meanwhile, the Merrionette Park Fire Fighters Association posted something super heartfelt on their Facebook page. They highlighted how these 17 firefighters leaving represent decades of dedication to the community. These guys and gals were always there, whether it was responding to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, or just volunteering countless hours to keep the place running smoothly. It’s a real blow to the department.
Katie Quinn Schneider, who served as the department secretary for 19 years, wasn’t re-appointed. Deputy Chief/EMT Pat Carter, Captain/Paramedic Tom Ziolkowski, Lieutenant/EMT Jim Carter, and others with years of service are either gone or moving on. It’s definitely a tough time for Merrionette Park, and everyone is worried about how this will affect their response times and overall safety.
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