Elgin police, fire could merge some functions

In an effort to save money and be more efficient, Elgin City Manager Sean Stegall wants to explore consolidating administrative functions of the city's police and fire departments.

But don't expect to find cops trading their squads for ladder trucks or firefighters packing heat.

"It's more about the coordination of administrative services," Stegall said Tuesday. "Obviously, having a change in the fire chief position is a good time to address that issue."

Fire Chief Jack Henrici said he plans to re-retire this year, but doesn't have an exact date set.

"I will be retiring shortly," he said, adding "probably toward the end of November."

Henrici has been serving as fire chief since October 2007, replacing Fire Chief Mike Falese, who resigned to take an assistant chief's position in Bartlett.

It's the second time around in Elgin for Henrici, who was the city's fire chief from 1986 through his first retirement in 2003.

Stegall said he plans to form a task force of police officers and firefighters to study the issue and hopefully provide recommendations by the end of the year or early 2011.

Stegall says he's operating under the hypothesis that consolidating some functions could save the city money but he wants to hear from folks on the front line. He added that it fits in with his goal to have more departments within the city work together.

Stegall said Henrici's position will be filled, but it remains to be seen whether the city will name a public safety director to oversee both police and fire chiefs.

Henrici said it is his understanding the consolidation will cover communications, budgeting, fleet maintenance and purchasing.

"I'm not exactly sure what (Stegall is) planning. It certainly could be more economical," Henrici said. "This is new territory. I think it's a little bit early tell what it's going to be or what direction it's going to take."