Dolton, IL, Fire Union Challenges Interim Chief's Qualifications
Dolton firefighters took their issues about the department to the street Monday.
The qualifications of interim Fire Chief Quention Curtis and equipment safety are among their major claims.
Firefighters said Curtis, a retired Chicago firefighter, isn't certified as he didn't come up through the ranks, abc 7 reported.
The Dolton Professional Firefighters Association has filed a suit challenging Curtis' appointment.
Village officials said their choice to head the department is highly qualified and has worked to increase diversity. They say firefighters are upset because overtime has been reduced by about $30,000.
Curtis founded the Black Fire Brigade in Chicago, a program aimed to provide opportunities to inner-city young people interested in careers in the fire and EMS service.
He believes the union is balking him for trying to run the department more efficiently.
"These medals ain't here for nothing. They're not a showpiece. I actually did the work. I'm not new to this. I'm true to this."
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Susan Nicol
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Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.