Excerpts from the NorthwestHerald.com:
As a part-time firefighter, Jonathan Fleck doesn’t qualify for health insurance through the Huntley Fire Protection District. However, after seven years of service, he’s now receiving some much-needed support.
In collaboration with the Cary and Rutland-Dundee fire protection districts, as well as the Sugar Grove Fire Department, Huntley is set to share a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The initiative aims to retain part-time firefighters over the next four years by offering financial incentives.
Part-time firefighters like Fleck will receive a $75 monthly stipend if they complete six hours of training and work six shifts per month. This money can be used toward healthcare, childcare, education, or retirement planning—areas where part-timers often fall short compared to their full-time colleagues.
Local fire departments are constantly looking for ways to keep their teams motivated. With lower pay and fewer benefits, part-time firefighters face unique challenges. Some departments offer financial rewards, while others focus on preparing them for future full-time roles in the field.
Huntley Fire Chief Ken Caudle explained that his department has around 30 part-time firefighters and 58 full-time staff. Ideally, he’d like to have 35 part-timers, but attracting qualified candidates remains difficult. Many are reluctant to commit to the demanding training required to work just one shift a week for about $17 an hour.
This challenge isn’t unique to Huntley. Many departments rely on the same small group of part-timers, making it hard to grow or maintain staffing levels.
"A lot of our guys end up becoming full-time in other departments, but they still come in on their days off to protect their own community," said Cary Fire Chief Jeffrey Macko.
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant is designed to help departments like Huntley retain and build their part-time workforce. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, only 8% of fire departments nationwide are entirely career-based, and none are in McHenry County.
Most fire departments in the area depend heavily on part-time personnel. Only two departments in the county—Crystal Lake Fire Rescue and the Huntley Fire Protection District—are considered mostly career, with 51% to 99% of their staff being full-time.
In Richmond, Chief Rick Gallas is the sole full-time firefighter at a station that operates 24/7. Due to budget constraints, hiring more full-time staff isn’t feasible. Instead, he focuses on training new recruits to eventually transition into full-time roles elsewhere.
"Our goal is to get them trained and use them for five to seven years before they move on to career positions," Gallas said. "Then we’re going to lose them."
Gallas is currently recruiting for five to 10 candidates within a 10-mile radius who can participate in the department’s mini-academy. The cost of the program, which totals $2,400, is split between the trainee and the fire department.
Power Operated Dock Leveler,Mini Dock Leveler,Hydraulic Loading Dock Leveler,Unloading Equipment Dock Leveler
NingBo AnSheng Door Industry Technology Co.,Ltd. , https://www.speedeerdoor.com