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Tri-State FPD begins search for new chief
Excerpts from the Chicago Tribune:
In recent news, the Tri-State Fire Protection District is now on the hunt for a new fire chief after Jack Mancione decided to step down earlier this month, even though his contract still had 18 months left. This announcement was made by Eric Habercoss, the president of the district's board of trustees. At their Monday meeting, the board named Battalion Chief Patrick Brenn as the acting fire chief.
The Tri-State Fire Protection District is responsible for providing fire safety services to areas including Burr Ridge, Darien, Willowbrook, Willow Springs, and some parts of unincorporated DuPage County.
Mancione took over as chief following the retirement of Chief Michelle Gibson back in February 2014. However, Gibson's retirement package, which included receiving $115,000 for unused sick, vacation, and personal days along with an extra $22,000, drew criticism from the Better Government Association.
Details regarding Mancione's retirement agreement, which was approved on November 16th, won't be disclosed until Mancione gets his copy, expected to happen next Monday, according to the district's administrative assistant. Habercoss expressed confidence in the fairness and reasonableness of the deal, stating that it was based on Mancione’s pre-existing contract, which was put in place prior to Habercoss's election to the Tri-State Board in April.
Just a week after Mancione's retirement, Deputy Fire Chief William Just also decided to retire.
Over the past few months, the Edgar County Watchdog website has pointed out issues with Mancione, including failing to document donations of used fire equipment and improperly releasing private health information about employees in response to a FOIA request. Mancione hasn't responded to any requests for comments.
Habercoss mentioned that the district is currently consulting with an executive recruitment firm and the Illinois Association of Fire Chiefs to determine the expenses involved in bringing in external assistance for the chief search. The board is keen on finding a leader who can revamp the administration and modernize policies and procedures within the district.
The Tri-State Fire Protection District has faced heightened attention since last year when the Better Government Association highlighted that despite Gibson and district trustee Julie Strenzel, who were in a civil union and raising a family together, Strenzel did not recuse herself from decisions involving Gibson's salary, benefits, and retirement agreement. Strenzel lost her bid for re-election to Habercoss on April 7th.
Following Hamilton Gibbons' resignation as president of the board during Gibson's retirement, Bob Jewell was selected to take his place. Later, in August, Trustee Mike Orrico stepped down due to no longer residing within the district. The remaining trustees then interviewed five candidates and chose Joseph Wolski to fill Orrico’s position.
In response to resident demands for a larger board, the board voted to increase the number of trustees from three to five. However, there have been conflicting legal opinions on when the expansion should take effect. Habercoss prefers to wait until the new trustees are elected in the April 2017 election.
At their November 16th meeting, the board directed the district's Board of Fire Commissioners to move forward with hiring three new firefighters.
"We seem to be heading in the right direction," Habercoss commented optimistically.
The district continues to work towards improving transparency and efficiency, aiming to restore public trust amidst these recent changes.