Should student trainees help fight fires in Du Quoin? Program could put two trainees in the station to cut city's $85,000 overtime costs

Members of the Du Quoin City Council Tuesday said an exploratory program that would allow two collegiate-aged firefighters to live and train at the Du Quoin firehouse is worth looking into, but did not approve the program until they hear more.

Du Quoin Fire Chef Bob Shaw broached the subject at the outset of the meeting. Council members clearly had trouble getting their arms around it on the first read, but are interested.

The fire department currently has six paid firemen besides Chief Shaw and about 15 paid-on-call firemen who are paid minimum wage when they pull shifts to fill the duty roster or answer a fire call.

Paid firemen are well-trained professionals. Paid-on-call firefighters are well-trained, but in most cases it is not their career. They serve as a matter of community service and second incomes.

Chief Shaw's proposal would identify two or more collegiate-aged students to fill unfilled spots on the daily schedule. They would be trainees who would work toward the Fireighter II certification while putting in 20 hours of scheduled time while living there.

They would be paid minimum wage only during their time out on a call.

The department answers fire calls with the goal of "two men in and two men out," which means having two or more men trained to fight a structure fire on the inside while two remain outside to pull hoses, operate truck controls and stand watch over how the fire is behaving and to advise whether any men are in harm's way around the scene.

The intern program would require the students-in-training to serve as outside firefighters. Nor could they drive trucks to or from the scene. They would absolutely be under the supervision of the paid and paid-on-call firemen.

In time, if their interest in the fire service continues and their training gets them certified on several levels, they could work their way into a more substantial role in the department.

"It's a good program. I've seen it work," said city administrator Brad Myer. "They have a place to live and put in 20 hours," he said.

The issues which will decide if the program plays out are simple and obvious:

1. The goal is largely to cut overtime, and is taking money out of the pockets of explerienced firefighters worth the backlash and morale issue. City administrator Myer said he budgeted $85,000 for overtime in 2013. With seven weeks left if the year the department has already spent $88,900 on overtime.

2. Even though the role of the student firefighters would be well-defined, once on-scene would the demands of the moment automatically put them in harm's way? Would they be insured?

3. Will the city see attrition in the commitment of the paid-on-call roster of experienced firefighters if they feel they are being replaced by cheaper students.

4. Much of the training will be done in-house. Ongoing training will involve attending firefighting school, but if the students' interest disappears, will the city have invested $3,000 to $5,000 in training for nothing, one commissioner asked.

5. Or, is this truly a way of bringing high quality candidates into the fire service who are and will become like the great firefighters the city benefits from now.

Commitment to the fire service in Du Quoin runs in families and this may be another way to nurture that dedication Get to them early.

Chief Shaw said he has two student candidates already familiar with the department who have shown an interest and there may be others. It is certainly not a case of friends and family. It is a matter of involvement and investing in our young people. The details will be formalized and presented to the council at some time in the future. Shaw said the program exists in the Marion fire department and has produced some benefits.