Board Removes IL Fire Chief after 40 Years with District

GLEN CARBON, IL—During its board meeting Tuesday, the Glen Carbon Fire Protection District voted to make several major changes, including removing Chief Ralph Well.

The board voted 4-1 vote with Trustee Alan Schaake dissenting.

Well has served the district since 1980, eight of those years as fire chief. His last day on the job is May 31.

During a closed session, the board unanimously appointed current EMS Director Eric Williams to take over as fire chief and director of EMS on June 1. The board of directors are Luke Harris, Jack Humes, Chris Otto, Schaake and Ron Williams.

The district is making these changes in response to a study it commissioned from McGrath Consulting Group out of Wonder Lake, a Chicago exurb. McGrath specializes in fire, public safety and municipal entities. Other area clients include Collinsville and O’Fallon.

“The board, based on the McGrath Study and recommendations, believes there needs to be bylaws set up for the district,” said Harris. “The district, not the volunteer fire department, is responsible for governance, operation and direction of the fire and EMS departments.” The board voted unanimously to approve this new governance.

McGrath audited the district and determined there is a current dysfunction within leadership and recommended a single, primary chief oversee fire and EMS and report to the board of trustees, eliminating the current fire chief and emergency management services (EMS) director positions.

The board touted this decision as one less layer of bureaucracy and one full-time employee versus two part-timers as well as potentially saving the district $100,000. During its treasurer’s report, the board noted that it ended April with a balance of $2.8 million.

Well pointed out to the board that the board followed every consultants’ recommendation except for the one that affects his position as chief.

“I have a concern that it’s not necessarily based on strictly cost, but an agenda that I didn’t want those people in there so therefore I’m excluding them because they’re not important,” Well said.

“It’s not an important part of it,” Harris replied. “We need to have some unification, and this will allow for that unification and also make sure we have our budgeting because I don’t think the district needs another $100,000 salary.”

Some people questioned the deviation from fire district voting traditions and an apparent rush to make changes.

“I can speak from the 25-plus years I’ve been here. In May, typically, we have our nominations for department officers,” said Dave Budwell during the meeting’s public comment portion. “We vote on them in June, at which time, we let the board know what our recommendations are. My question is why are we doing this so early?”

As a district taxpayer, firefighter Doug Schultz said he doesn’t understand why the fire board feels threatened by the fire district.

“The board of trustees has spent almost $30,000 of taxpayers’ money to receive a poorly-written report to provide them information already available on our website, boilerplate human resources information and a report on national guidelines [that] the district and EMS organizations already follow today,” Schultz said. “What is the rush in approving these bylaws so fast? Are we on a specific timeline the members are unaware of?”

Several people spoke in favor of retaining Well during public comment. Each person was allowed three minutes to speak.

“I think Glen Carbon is fortunate to have Chief Ralph Well. His priority for supporting public safety and dedication to citizens has undoubtedly impacted our community in a really positive way,” said Erica Harris, a Madison County Board Member and a Glen Carbon resident. “He’s an example of a hard worker. He’s often the first one to the scene. I’ve been told his management of building a fire station and the details which go into such a huge project, were excellent and a huge asset for our community.”

“I’ve gotten to work with him, voluntarily, for about five years,” said Rebecca Blankenship by proxy. “He has an impeccable record, he’s so professional and he’s been a huge asset to the community and done an amazing job. Not having him involved in this would be a huge loss to our community.”

Danny Picarella, Well’s current assistant fire chief, spoke next.

“I have a long history with Chief Well, going back to when I was a kid,” he said. “I have never met a more dedicated person than Chief Well. In the middle of the night, no matter what time that alarm goes off, he’s there for you. He cares about his community, and he’s done a fantastic job for this department.”

Picarella pointed out that the new fire station #1, where the meeting took place, Well played a major role in getting it built.

“We take your comments seriously,” Harris said prior to going into closed session. “We have been talking a lot of people – members and non-members – to try to understand the best route for the district.” While he agreed with supporters’ comments about Well and the success of the new fire station, Harris said, “unfortunately, as the board sees it, we don’t have a cohesive group of people; it doesn’t feel like a team.” Harris and Otto were recently re-elected to the board.

“As an independent taxing district with no formal connection to Glen Carbon Village government, I respect the board’s thoughtful analysis and decision to do what they believe is in the best interest of all Glen Carbon Fire Protection District taxpayers,” said Mayor Robert Jackstadt in an email statement Wednesday. “I congratulate Eric Wilson, who was appointed chief of fire and EMS, and look forward to working with him and the fire protection district trustees in the future to keep this community strong and safe.”

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