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The Chicago Tribune recently published an article discussing a proposed change to the firefighter application process in Des Plaines. Alderman James Brookman, representing the 5th Ward, has expressed concerns over the existing rule that requires prospective firefighters to hold a paramedic license in order to qualify for the position. This requirement, Brookman argues, drastically reduces the pool of eligible applicants by targeting only a very small fraction of the population.
During a recent Des Plaines City Council meeting, an amendment was passed allowing the city's board of fire and police commissioners to establish a minimum passing score for the firefighter written exam. Brookman, a former firefighter himself, seized this moment to voice his frustration with the current policy. He emphasized that the fire department should focus on recruiting the most talented individuals, regardless of whether they already possess a paramedic license, and then provide necessary training afterward. Training an applicant without a paramedic license is estimated to cost around $60,000 per individual, according to Fire Chief Alan Wax.
Chief Wax noted that this licensing prerequisite wasn't always in place; prior to August 2006, applicants with paramedic licenses were given preference points during the hiring process. State laws permit municipalities to enforce such licensing prerequisites, and Wax mentioned that many aspiring candidates view obtaining the license as advantageous. However, Brookman believes that the department could gain significant benefits from hiring individuals with diverse backgrounds, even if they lack a paramedic license but bring other valuable skills to the table.
Des Plaines' policy isn't isolated within Illinois, as Illinois Firefighter's Association President John Swan pointed out. Many cities have adopted similar requirements to avoid unnecessary expenses. For instance, when a city hires a firefighter without a license and covers their training costs, there’s a risk that the new recruit might leave the department shortly after. Additionally, there's the possibility that some candidates might fail to secure their paramedic certification despite receiving financial support from the city, leading to wasted resources and restarting the recruitment process entirely.
Despite these challenges, Brookman's perspective resonated with Alderman Patricia Haugeberg, chair of the council's public safety committee, who agreed to address the matter further with the board of fire and police commissioners. Commissioner Debra Lester requested additional time for the board to collect more data, emphasizing that the decision shouldn't be made hastily. With this debate underway, the previously scheduled firefighter exam for mid-September has been postponed, as stated by Chief Wax.
Thank you, Dan!