Overview
- Dolton firefighters, who demonstrated Monday outside Village Hall, said unsafe gear and an unqualified interim chief are putting residents at risk.
- Union leaders said the department has five working air packs instead of eight and only one engine in service, forcing a recent borrow from a neighboring town.
- Firefighters argue Interim Chief Quention Curtis lacks required state certification and has exceeded a 180-day interim limit, and their union filed a lawsuit last month challenging his qualifications.
- Village officials countered that the dispute stems from more than $30,000 in monthly overtime cuts and said Curtis is qualified and advancing diversity in the department.
- Curtis said he will take a state certification exam Friday and said he has ordered gear and spent $35,000 on repairs over 60 days.