The Chicago Tribune recently published an article discussing a potential change to the requirements for becoming a firefighter in Des Plaines. The topic has sparked some debate among local officials, with one Alderman pushing to remove the current rule that requires applicants to hold a paramedic license before they can even take the written exam. Des Plaines Alderman James Brookman, representing the 5th Ward, is advocating for the city’s fire department to eliminate this requirement. He believes that by doing so, the department could expand its candidate pool and hire more qualified individuals who may not currently have a paramedic license but could be trained for the role. Brookman, a former firefighter himself, raised his concerns during a recent council meeting, where an amendment was passed allowing the board of fire and police commissioners to set a minimum score on the written exam. Under the current policy, only those with a valid Illinois Department of Public Health paramedic license or a National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certificate are eligible to apply. Brookman argues that this restriction limits the number of potential candidates, saying, “We should hire the best people we can find and then train them.†However, Fire Chief Alan Wax pointed out that training a non-licensed applicant can cost around $60,000 per person. He explained that the requirement was introduced in 2006 by the Des Plaines Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. Before that, paramedic license holders received preference points during the hiring process, but the current rule now makes it a mandatory prerequisite. Wax also noted that state law allows cities to require a paramedic license as a condition for taking the exam. While many candidates do pursue the license because they see it as an advantage, Brookman believes that the department could benefit from diverse skill sets beyond just medical training. John Swan, president of the Illinois Firefighters Association, said that Des Plaines’ policy isn’t uncommon in the state. Many municipalities implement similar rules to save money, as hiring someone without a license and then training them can lead to high costs if the individual leaves the department shortly after. Wax added that there's also a risk of a newly hired firefighter failing to obtain their paramedic license despite the city’s investment in their training. In such cases, the department would lose both time and money, and would have to restart the hiring process. Despite these concerns, Brookman’s arguments were enough to prompt Alderman Patricia Haugeberg, chair of the public safety committee, to push for further discussion with the board of fire and police commissioners. Commissioner Debra Lester suggested that more information was needed before making a decision, emphasizing that the issue wasn't straightforward. As a result of the ongoing debate, the next scheduled written firefighter exam, which was set for mid-September, has been postponed, according to Fire Chief Wax. Thanks Dan Welded Steel Pipe,Buttweld Fittings,Welded Pipe,Stainless Steel Welded Pipe Shandong Shifeng Metal Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.qfgygs.com