Stephen Fuller: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: ElburnWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: "Elburn, Countryside Fire Board (6-year Term)"Age: 62Family: Married, four children,three grandchildrenOccupation: Assistant Fire Chief ( Retired ) Current Consultant Contractor for the Kane County Regional Office of Education Health/Life Safety Division.Education: Waubonsee Community College 1978 University of Illinois Fire Service Institute / Management National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg MD. Officer TrainingCivic involvement: Loyal Order of the MooseElected offices held: Current St.Charles Firefighter's Pension Fund (Trustee)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To maintain respectability as a responsible fiduciary to the citizen taxpayers within the Elburn Countryside Fire Protection District. As a former Fire Command Staff Officer, I realize a commitment to the basic principles of providing emergency services to the community. "Protection" represents a wide range of emergency services the fire department provides to protect and serve the citizens of the ECFPD. These include fire suppression,rescue, emergency medical services and other essential services that protect the lives and property within the community.Key Issue 2 To assure professionalism as an office holder to which I am a candidate. I will bring to the office integrity, and a commitment to move this organization forward, while keeping in step with modern technology.Key Issue 3 The office to which I seek, deals with collective bargaing among it's professional firefighters. I have experience with collective bargaing issues from both sides of the table, and I understand the process of fair and equitable agreements. I will make every effort to see that real concerns are dealt with,while keeping the best interest of the general public.Questions Answers Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.#1. I foresee future growth issues within the fire protection district. (A real concern when the economy improves.) New development plans are on the docket and scheduled in the near future. For example, Settlements on the Fox, additional retail near the train station, the Anderson road bypass bridge to reroute truck traffic from the downtown area, and the Elburn Station Development, with 2,000 units is proposed. These concerns will have an impact on how we deliver emergency services. I believe A comprehensive study would benefit the district by outlining cost vs. benefits of adding an additional station and personnel. #2. Better cooperation with neighboring fire departments to improve emergency response times and make significant reductions in cost. For example, residents of the Windings of Ferson Creek. Under certain circumstances a response time can take up to 15 to 20 minutes. If a cardiac call is received for the Windings,and a medic unit has to respond from station 2.way out on Hughes Rd. It becomes a real issue. The recognized national standard response times for all practical purposes is 5 minutes. I would address this situation by meeting with the neighboring departments and working on a solution for sharing mutual aid, and minimizing individual costs. #3. Labor Negotiations: The current firefighter's labor contract expires this year. and negotiations will begin. I am fully aware of the many characteristics of contract issues that will be brought up for review. I have the necessary experience from my past participation in contract negotiations.It is imperative to understand the many facets of conflict resolution. Be honest and fair.How should the fire protection district improve its services?For a long range plan, the question is simple, How big of a fire commitment can the district afford to handle. It's a balancing scale. Increased prevention and education activities have been beneficial,and has reduced the loss of life due to fire related incidents. I would address this situation by increasing the levels of emergency medical services and plan on pursuing future growth of the Fire Prevention Bureau. I would entertain a study for a future land purchase suitable in the northwestern part of the fire district. The goal is to improve emergency response times, and to continue to educate the community on fire safety.Are you satisfied with the district's response times? If yes, please explain; if no, please offer your suggestions on how to improve.I am not surprised about the many concerns generated from far west areas of the district. Residents pay a substantial amount of money for fire and Ambulance service, and expect arrival within a reasonable time frame. When the former St.Charles Countryside Fire Protection District parted ways with the City of St. Charles Fire Dept.and formed the Fox River and Countryside Fire Protection District, many questions were raised on the issues of fire protection. Far western area residents have concerns about who was responsible for their fire protection. With a new fire station built on the Wasco site on Rt. 64, Residents from the Windings of Ferson Creek and Lilly Lake have expressed concerns about why it takes their fire department (Elburn) 15-20 minutes to respond to their needs, when a fire station occupied by Fox River CSFPD) is closer. A very legitimate question. No one truly knows what the future entails. My improvement suggestions are to approach the officials of the Fox River Countryside Fire Protection District for an automatic aid agreement for certain incident responses to the areas in question. At the same time, I would encourage the board to investigate on correcting this deficiency by securing a land site suitable for providing emergency services to the district and any future growth.What specific background or experience do you bring that makes you the best qualified candidate to serve on the fire district board?I served on the Aurora, and St. Charles Fire Departments where I spent 38 years in the Fire Service. I moved through the ranks from Firefighter/P, to Lt. Captain, Deputy Chief of Operations,Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal. I have the necessary background in building and fire codes. I have an understanding of fire ground operations, and management of support services. In 2009, I retired From the St. Charles Fire Department. I currently conduct health life safety inspections for the Kane County Regional Office of Education. I believe I have the necessary time, and qualifications to serve the community in this capacity.This item intentionally left blank.Candidate did not respond.