EAST PEORIA, Ill. — The East Peoria City Council agreed Tuesday night to temporarily increase the Fire Department staff by one.
Commissioner Seth Mingus said the increase is because one East Peoria Firefighter will be retiring in June.
“In order to be ready for that firefighter to walk out of the door we need to have a firefighter walk in the door,” Mingus said.
Before the new recruit can get to work, there is training to do, according to Mingus.
“We like to get them in and get the acclimated a little bit to the department, and then we send them to the fire academy,” Mingus said. “Our goal is to have that firefighter ready when our retiring member retires.”
The firefighter will also be required to get their paramedic license, if they do not already have one.
Mingus said the benefit of having a larger number of members in the department for manning purposes, two firefighters to each piece of equipment. Having more members also helps with reducing overtime in the department.
“Last year, the council approved three additional firefighters with the hope that those three additional firefighters would reduce overtime,” Mingus said.
Commissioner Dan Decker also announced during the meeting Tuesday, that the Traveling Vietnam Wall will be in East Peoria at Levee Park, Sept. 23-27.
More details and planning are in the works for now, but raising money for the Peoria Honor Flight was discussed.
Mayor John Kahl said the homecoming from the Honor Flight means so much to the veterans.
“That means a lot. Especially for those that weren’t thanked when they returned from their service,” Kahl said.
