Wheaton council approves wage increases for firefighters

Wheaton firefighters will be experiencing some changes in the near future, including wage increases for most employees and a reorganization of the department.

On Monday, the city council unanimously approved the reorganization along with a 3-year collective bargaining agreement with the union that represents Wheaton's firefighters and fire lieutenants.

The contract will be in effect from May 1, 2015, to April 30, 2018. It includes a 2.25 percent increase in wages each year, along with 24 hours of personal time a year and changes to the health insurance program.

Union members will now also receive a Kelly day, or day off to avoid additional overtime costs, every 13th duty day instead of every 14th day, as was written in the previous contract.

"I'm happy that we're entering into a contract before the term of it actually starts," said Councilman Todd Scalzo. "It seems the last couple of contracts have been two years and then retroactive, so this is a very nice way to start off our year."

Currently, the chain-of-command from highest to lowest is fire chief, deputy fire chief, captain, lieutenant and firefighter.

The reorganization will eliminate the titles of deputy fire chief and captain. A position called assistant fire chief will be introduced directly under the fire chief.

According to the ordinance approved Monday, four people will hold the position of assistant fire chief. Three are current employees who will have the title assistant fire chief/shift commander, while a fourth person being hired externally will serve as the assistant fire chief of administration.

"We've been working for several years now to implement these changes," said Fire Chief William Schultz. "We needed to do some realignment with how the administrative structure was in the department so this facilitates that process."