Where Should Your Firefighters Live?
Orland Fire Protection District board president James Hickey believes all fire district staff should live within the district’s boundaries, but the other trustees say there are more important issues at hand.
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While the Orland Fire Protection District trustees and firefighter representatives discuss the next firefighter contract terms, a residency requirement for all new hires may arise.
But that will depend if there is greater interest in the idea than there appears to be now.
Board president James Hickey presented the idea that all new hires would have to move within the district after no more than a year from starting their respective jobs during a recent closed session.
The point would be to beef up the local tax base with a new crop of spenders moving into the area, and it would help in an emergency if extra people needed to be called in, Hickey said to reporters after Tuesday’s board meeting.
“I believe that that would help our local businesses,” Hickey said. “It would help housing. It would help everything when you’re making everybody live within the district. We’ve brought it up, and we’ll bring it up in our union talks. Everyone thought it was a great idea.”
But the other board trustees don’t see it that way.
Trustee Blair Rhode described the idea as “complicating,” and said there are more important issues to focus on right now in the contract discussions.
“In the few minutes we talked about it, I felt when someone is hired there’s a trial period,” Rhode said. “We can’t expect them to move if they don’t know they have a job. They might not be able to sell a house they own. I think we have bigger fish to fry. I think it’s a feel good thing. We would like people to live in the district, but practically it’s not viable. I’d like to get rid of political gimmicks and just fix things.”
Trustee Chris Evoy agreed that it isn’t a priority, describing it as “the bottom of the totem pole” for importance.
“I’m open to hear the pros and cons on it and other proposals,” Evoy said. “But other aspects are more significant right now.”
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Trustee Martin McGill said such a requirement might limit the talent pool.
“It’s hard to get qualified people as is,” McGill said. “I’m not in favor of it. I want to see the community thrive, but a residency requirement for the chiefs and battalion chiefs is enough.”
McGill noted that a rule was put in place that firefighters had to live within 25 miles of the district, which he said is plenty adequate.
The fire chief and battalion chiefs are on call and are required to live within the district.
Trustee Glenn Michalek also said he wasn’t in favor of a residency requirement either.
Wally Rafacz, president of the Orland Firefighters Local 2754, said the union is willing to listen to and discuss any proposals, but he didn’t say whether he was for or against a residency requirement.
Hickey said should the requirement be included as part of the next firefighter contract, all current staff and personnel would be grandfathered in, but new hires would have to abide. He guessed it would take about 20 years before the full district would all be living with the boundaries, should the idea become reality.
Hickey said the variety of housing options in Orland Park, Orland Hills and the unincorporated areas covered by the district would offer enough pricing options for staff.
“If you know you have to live in the district and you don’t want to move, then you don’t apply to the district,” Hickey said, when asked if the requirement might limit the pool of applicants.
The Orland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees meets next 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Administration Center, 9788 W. 151 St.
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In This article
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Orland Fire Protection District Firehouse One and Administration Center
9788 W 151st St, Orland Park, IL
Pamela
9:12 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Why should it matter where they live? I never understood that. To me, it doesn't matter where they live.
phxdr
5:10 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Oh brother! Listen some of you people do not get it. The requirement would be put in place BEFORE people test and give applications. So they would know ahead of time. Firefighters and cops should live in the communities they serve and that is common sense. It is easy for the union-firefighters to ask for more money, more money and more money on their paychecks they don't live in town and do not have to pay the property taxes for the high paychecks.
The bottom line is that if the OFPD is good enough to offer a high paid, high benefit job for these people then these people should be good enough to live in the district boundaries.
Pamela
9:12 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Why should it matter where they live? I never understood that! I am in a family where every generation there is a fire fighter. It shouldn't matter where they live!
phxdr
5:10 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Because it is called civil SERVICE. Being allowed to work for a fire department is a privilage..not a right. It shows commitment to the people who are paying the firefighters paychecks which is the taxpayers. If they do not like orland enough to live here, they should not apply for it. I say this weeds out the people who are true to service of the community and those who are applying just for the good pay and benefits.
Kathie
9:12 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
How would these people feel if the Mayor didn't live in the village boundaries?!
I think there should be a residence requirement. And to say we can't expect people to move here because they have a trial period is silly! It doesn't take a genius to figure out that you can put in the contract a residency clause that reads, after passing the "trial period," employees must move into the area in six months. And to say we lose out to the "talented" pool because of this... this isn't Dancing With The Stars. What % of brave young men and women come out of the programs not able to perform their jobs with top efficiency and accuracy? Anyone coming out of those schools -100% of them-- should be "talented" at their jobs! With every fire referendum I hear the firemen working the poles telling voters, "we need the tax increase because we need to maintain response time to emergencies......" It is common sense that when employees travel farther.... It is a time increase. If extra hands are needed for a big emergency, Orland tax payers should not be waiting for their "talent" to get here from all over Chicagoland. If the trustees don't think it is a priority, I am curious what they DO consider priority? Please, don't ask for our tax dollars, and more important, don't ask for my VOTE if you don't put safety and the people of Orland as a "priority" on your totem poles. Maybe WE should be looking for better "talent."
Robert
10:03 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
It's not that easy to up and move. Houses aren't selling, people may live in certain districts for schooling and family reasons, or they love their home and community. Other well established professional fire districts do not have such restrictions because it is a non issue. There are many tax payers in Orland, a few more aren't going to make bank. James Hickey is grasping at anything to get his name in the news. This is ridiculous. The suburbs don't have to pull from a lottery to hire like Chicago, they can choose best qualified and fit. ORland has one of the top departments in the country and the new members of this board along with James Hickey, are doing everything to jeopardize that for the good people of ORland. Liz Gorman for constantly interfering with our dept. with her puppets.
Terri
1:20 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
There is no guantee that off-duty firefighters would be in the area in the event of a large scale emergency. I'm sure recent grads are highly qualified, but I would hope they would also hire firefighters with experience, proven job performance and commendations. Dedicated professionals care about the population they serve regardless of where they live.
phxdr
5:10 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Rob- First of all OFPD is not one of the best in the country. It might be one of the best in the southland. These are suburbs not actual "cities" and the fire departments reflect that. Some top fire departments in the country are FDNY, Phoenix, Chicago, Miami, LA etc. OFPD is laughable compared to the big depts.
There is no shortage of people who wish to work for a full time fire department (even a suburb). If orland is good enough to offer a job to them as FF then it is good enough for them to live in.
Sue N.
9:12 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Wrong move to require residency! Orland township is not like the city of Chicago, where we would have an opprotunity to have access to 1000s of qualified, quality firefighters/EMTs who also want to work for this board. Once you start restricting your resource pool you restirct your options for hiring the best of the best.
As long as they live close enough to get to work on time or back to town for those few extremely emergencies when more workers need to be called in...that's good enough for me. Besides, even when there are extreme emergencies, other towns show up to help, and its not like there are enough emergency vechiles in the OPFP that could bring every OPFD to an emergency if they did all show up.
First the combining with Palos...and now this. Hickey...please stop trying to force your crazy ideas through.
Gary
9:12 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Except for your Chief and Deputy, Firefighters, Lieutenants, and Battalion Chiefs should live where ever they wish. As long as they show up on time there is no problem. Besides, suppose something happened in Orland and took out the village? Firefighters living away from the area would be able to come back to help as opposed to being hurt or worse if they had lived in town. So, stop posturing prior to negotiations.
Paul
10:14 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Gary what are your thoughts regarding residency for the board of trustees. You may find it interesting that it appears that the OFPD president does not appear to be a homeowner within the district boundaries based on information obtained from the Cook County recorders web site. It appears he is renting his current property and does not have a vested interest in the district he represents.
Alan Perkaus
11:24 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Although I believe that this is wrong, According to the state election laws you only have to reside within the area of concern for 30 days to vote and or hold office. Maybe we should look into changing that .
Megan James
1:20 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
I am not a fan of Mr. Hickey....but it very wrong to exclude someone from running for office just because they rent in lieu of owning. Have you not paid attention to the recent job and housing market between 2005 and now? Many lost their jobs and then homes and had to move into rentals. It is very wrong to sterotype someone who rents as not having an vested interest in the district. Please...let this argument go and move on! By living in this district, renting or not, as long as you are over 18 years old and have a passion to serve the people of this town, not your own agenda, you have every right to run for office and be elected. Renting should not be a negative mark against someone. Shame on all the narrow minded people who think that way. I'd rather have someone who rents and is willing to represent the commuity, than someone who owns their own home and makes decisions without caring if its even in the best interest of the community or wanted by the people in their town/district.
Megan James
1:20 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
However, perhaps changing the residency requirement to show you have resided in town or district for 5+ years, regardless of renting or owning, is more acceptable. I do argee it doesn't make sense to allow someone to just move to town for less than a year so they get elected. To me, having a vested interest means someone who has lived her long enough to show they have gotten to know the town/district and people and what makes is great. Anything less then 5 years to me, means you can't possible know what truly makes up Orland and what about it is important to the folks who plan on calling this home longer than just holding an job in district.
Paul
5:10 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Megan, we all know that Hickey has no intentions of holding onto the OFPD any longer than necessary based on his failed bid for Congress. Just a matter of time before he sets his sights on another endeavor and leaves the OFPD a mess.
John Humphrey
9:01 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Fireman get paid to work here, not to live here
Carlkwasigroch
9:01 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Just stating a fact, residencey has be won in biding arbitration because it has been found unconstitutional. That being said, it is a moot point.
dexter
5:55 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
For the people that are for residency, if you can say that one job requires residency then why shouldn't every single job? What extreme emergency has ever required every FF and Paramedic to return to Orland Park? That is why there is mutual aid set up with surrounding departments.
How would you feel about being FORCED to live where it may not be convenient for your spouse, or to raise your children.
What if you and your spouse both had jobs that required residency in two different places? How would that work?
As someone who failed and filed bankruptcy due to the housing market, Hickey should know better than to force people to sell their house in this economy.
This is just an obvious scare tactic by James Hickey during negotiations. He probably wants the Union to take a hit on the next contract so he can go on camera and boast about it. He is still trying to use this position as a stepping stone and an attempt to get as much media attention as he can even after his failed attempt to run for congress.
Kathie
6:49 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Well, if being FORCED to live in Orland and being part of our community is such a terrible thing or a trauma to their spouses and children, then get a job somewhere else! And maybe you just made poor choice of words, but I would like to know who our fire fighters are, and know that they care about my (our) community as much as I do.
Many of you are combining two issues, 1) answering the question posed in the article and 2) integrating your dislikes and hatred for individuals on the Board. Maybe we need to clear the slate and start over. All this politicing and posturing from ALL sides doesnt solve problems or focus on what is best for Orland. Why not put your energy into getting them out of the position? Come up with some ideas to turn this voting apathy around...Make a move to get people to the polls on election day. Don't STAND at the polls handing me your papers, the few of us who actually vote, do our homework BEFORE going to the polls!
Terri
12:39 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Sadly, residency does not guarantee committment to one's community, especially if forced. I'd think that someone who would be reluctant to leave neighbors and uproot children from a school exhibits characteristics that any employer would value. If residency were crucial to firefighter job performance, we'd have to mandate that they live in the area served by their station. I'm not alone in my opinion that firefighters demonstrate as high a level of passion and intrinsic motivation as that seen in any other profession.
Kathie
6:53 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
And for the record... I think the reason given by the people/person on the Board, for having a residency clause is lame-"increasing" the housing market and "beefing up" tax revenue is a ridiculous statement. And apparently the quote, "Everybody thought it was a great idea." is off target.
John Paul
12:39 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Here's the problem, residency would have to be negotiated in a collective bargaining agreement. The Firefighter union would have to agree to it. Don't you think that if they did agree, the district would have to give something back? How much is it worth to you, as a taxpayer, to require that firefighters live in the district?
Kathie
6:43 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Point taken. Do you know if they do public forums? Someone the other day said, they have no idea what is true and what is just angry politics with all the personal differences highlighted, rather than who actually has potential to do what is best for Orland. I know their meetings are held publicly, it would be great if they were live (video) streamed. Sometimes it is difficult to put a name and face together.
patchwatcher
7:30 am on Thursday, April 26, 2012
I can't believe what I'm reading. PLEASE phxdr! Are you SERIOUS? You claim these firefighters get high paid jobs in Orland and therefore should live there and pay the high taxes of Orland? Do you think that where these people live they don't pay property taxes for the fire and police and schools that serve their respective communities? And I'll listen to you when you can tell me about all the times you've risked your life simply by punching your time card to show up to work. I honestly don't get when people don't really think about what it is that fire service professionals do, EVERY DAY. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE - leave the hiring to the OFPD and let them choose among the best, and forget about a ridiculous residency requirement.
phxdr
8:18 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
I worked part time for 2 fire departments...so before you make assumptions I would get my facts straight if I were you because you know nothing about me. I was one of those that risked my life for very low pay. There are also more dangerous jobs so before you go on the "hero boy syndrome" I would investigate the top 5 jobs that are the most dangerous (give your ComEd line worker a pat on the back sometime).
My brother is a Chicago firefighter. Firefighters work for the taxpayers...I never forgot that even paid 7.50 an hour. If the residents which pay them ask for the commitment to live in the town they serve then the residents should get it as they are the boss. Like I said this shows commitment and that is the heart of this whole issue.
Robert
8:18 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Thank you patchwatcher. An elected village board member from a town up north was very critical of his town's first responders too, until the day he made his 911 call. Some people never know just how important our brave men and women are until they need them. The splattered car containing our loved ones, the overdosed kid, the heart attack victim, ect... They not only treat the sick & injured they assist the families and protec their property. This is no job for the weak.