City of Eldridge brings firefighters back to discuss department plans

Eldridge's volunteer firefighters went back to the bargaining table with city leaders to talk about the future of the department. It comes after city council voted to convert the volunteer department into a city agency.

Our Quad Cities News was there Wednesday during the first public meeting since firefighters and city employees agreed to meet privately.

"We have to set a path for the future, but we have to heal the community first," said Eldridge City Council member Rian Dockery.

In August, all volunteer firefighters said they'd quit if the city kept on its current path, so rebuilding trust is a goal of both sides. Part of that is creating a committee composed of the department, city staff and county staff.

"The city's proposal included sort of an joint oversight board and if that is the operational decision going forward, that would create a fourth entity," said Eldridge City Attorney Allison Wright.

That board could potentially oversee recruitment efforts, operations and the hiring of a new chief, but the city attorney says it makes insurance complicated. The department also wants a longer transition period of up to three years before the city takes complete control.

"Hiring a chief and giving them a longer runway ... I think I would be hesitant to take a position if I knew that in 12 months, there was going to be an organizational restructure," said Eldridge Firefighter Andrew Doyle.

Alderman Ryan Iossi says the extended time will disrupt the transition more than help. "I think that's a dangerous move, looking at getting partially through a cycle and then all of a sudden you're changing the goalposts," said Iossi. "I don't think that creates a safe environment for anybody."

The city council will meet again for more discussions Oct. 5.

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