East, West Dundee to share fire prevention officer

Taking another step toward a functional consolidation, two Dundee-area fire entities are planning to share a fire prevention officer starting next year.

Rick Paul, a part-time fire prevention officer for the West Dundee Fire Department, will soon spend two full days a week serving in a similar role for the East Dundee & Countryside Fire Protection District. He is expected to continue working seven hours per day, three days a week in West Dundee.

A study last year determined consolidating the two entities, along with the Carpentersville Fire Department, was a feasible option for improving services and cutting costs. Though officials decided a full merger was not yet possible because of legal hurdles, they have continued pursuing a more functional consolidation.

Creating the shared fire prevention position aligns with that goal, West Dundee Chief Randy Freise said.

Paul, who will be in charge of managing building and business inspections, is filling somewhat of a void in East Dundee, said Deputy Chief Jason Parthun. Though the district has a fire prevention program, he said, it does not have an officer devoted entirely to those responsibilities.

"It's going to improve efficiency, and it's going to improve the oversight to make sure everything's being done properly," Parthun said. "This is just another thing we're doing to better the services for both communities."

On the other hand, East Dundee has made strides in incorporating technology into its fire prevention program, such as using tablets during inspections, Paul said. In addition to implementing those efforts in West Dundee, he also wants to standardize both departments' fire prevention ordinances.

"I want to take a look and try to find the benefits from each agency," Paul said. "To me, I would like it to be a joint operation."

West Dundee trustees unanimously voted Monday to approve the agreement. The East Dundee fire board supported the concept at its last meeting, Parthun said, and is expected to formally ratify the measure next month.

Paul will technically still be employed by West Dundee, where he is expected to make about $24 per hour, plus benefits, Freise said. The East Dundee fire district would then pay West Dundee $35 per hour for Paul's services, which also covers vacation time and benefits, according to village documents.

"(Paul) brings a vast amount of experience. I consider him an expert in this area," Freise said. "So East Dundee is very excited to have his services. They jumped at the opportunity."

The move is one of several ways the two departments expect to share resources and combine services in the future. With East Dundee Chief Steve Schmitendorf retiring next month, for example, Freise will serve as chief for both entities starting Jan. 1 - the same day the agreement for a shared fire prevention officer takes effect.

"This is one more step in sharing resources," Freise said. "It's a big step, actually. And it's a very doable thing."