Illinois firefighters have quit the job they love after officials appointed a convicted arsonist as their fire department head.
More than 10 volunteer firefighters with the Illinois department have quit their job after their chief was replaced. The man appointed for the job has been convicted of arson in the past.
10 Firefighters quit after a convicted, yet pardoned, arsonist, is appointed as the Acting Fire Chief.
What in the nepotism is happening?
Life is easy when you’re the son of the Director of Emergency Management Department#EastCarondelet #PrairieDuPont #JerameSimmons #Shameful pic.twitter.com/on6PPkShrt
— Benti. Live from Texas.. (@FrankiB) December 23, 2021
The previous chief was forced to resign after a boarding meeting in December. Captain Laura Rosenkranz, who also resigned, told that the board’s decision was distasteful and unreasonably harsh.
Laura is married to John Rosenkranz, the previous chief of the Illinois fire department. In a viral video, an Illinois volunteer fireman slams his helmet, jacket, and other heavy equipment onto a table. “Here’s my gear,” the firefighter informed the board of trustees of the Prairie Du Pont Fire Protection District.
As is normal in these situations the fire department’s assistant chief was appointed to fill the role of the Firehouse chief. Jerame Simmons is now acting chief of the department. In a statement released by the board of trustees, they stated that “a change in the Fire Department’s leadership is required.” The board made it clear that they had complete confidence in Simmons‘ ability to oversee the department.
Know your local leaders.
"He is a convicted arsonist that was appointed fire chief". Really! ? https://t.co/mYOjSaksua— 521BB1N5? (@jarvimom) April 17, 2022
However, not everyone shares that view as Simmons has a history. The now-acting chief Simmons pleaded guilty to arson when he was 18 years old.
Nearly twenty years ago, Simmons was charged with starting two fires. The first fire was located in a vacant home, and the second was at Dupo High School in 1999. Making a name for himself as the local arsonist. Simmons’ father was mayor of East Carondelet in Saint Clair County at the time of the arson. His sentence was lenient at the time in deference to the mayor’s position in the community.
Laura Rosencranz, the wife of the now-former chief and precious captain of the department, said in a statement:
“It’s a pardon. Still, the town remembers the school being set on fire. The town remembers the house set on fire where we had firefighters fall and be injured.”
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Firefighters in Illinois town walk off the job after convicted ARSONIST appointed as fire chief
— Liz Kershaw (@LizKershawDJ) December 23, 2021
In a statement, former chief Rosencranz said:
“I think it’s appalling and disgusting. We’re not going to have the adequate protection here. It’s not going to be as it should be here. I’m kind of blindsided but not. I knew it was coming, but I didn’t expect it to be a couple of days before Christmas.”
Rosencranz claims that the board gave no reason for his dismissal. Rosencranz and his supporters plan to take the matter before the St. Clair County Board.
