Dolton, IL – A group of Dolton firefighters protested outside a village board meeting Monday, alleging serious safety concerns within the local fire department and questioning the qualifications of the department’s interim chief.
Firefighters with Dolton Professional Firefighters Local 3766 gathered ahead of the village’s monthly meeting to publicly raise concerns they say could allegedly affect emergency response and firefighter safety.
According to reporting from WGN, union leaders claim communication breakdowns, damaged equipment and a lack of training have allegedly created dangerous conditions for both firefighters and residents.
Union representatives said the interim fire chief, Quention “Q” Curtis, allegedly has not conducted department-wide training or leadership meetings since taking the position roughly six months ago. Firefighters also alleged equipment shortages, including a reduction in functioning self-contained breathing apparatus units used during fire responses.
Union officials additionally argued Curtis allegedly lacks a required state certification needed to serve as interim chief, prompting legal action challenging his appointment.
Village officials, however, strongly dispute the allegations.
According to village representatives, the concerns raised by union members allegedly stem from changes to overtime policies rather than legitimate safety issues. Officials said new scheduling policies implemented by Curtis have reduced firefighter overtime costs by more than $30,000 per month while maintaining operational safety.
Curtis, a retired Chicago Fire Department veteran with nearly 38 years of service, defended his leadership during the meeting. He said he has invested thousands of dollars in equipment repairs and has dozens of professional certifications.
The certification cited by union members, Curtis said, allegedly became a non-funded mandate in 2023, and he is currently enrolled in training to complete it.
Public comment at Monday’s meeting lasted more than 90 minutes, with several residents expressing support for firefighters while others voiced support for Curtis and his leadership.
The legal challenge to Curtis’ appointment remains pending, and village officials say they plan to defend the decision in court.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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