Posted on 12/23/2021 10:21:08 PM PST by Impala64ssa
Ten out of 13 members of the Prairie Du Pont Volunteer Fire Department quit at a fire district board meeting on Monday night after a convicted arsonist was appointed acting fire chief.
The Prairie Du Pont Volunteer Fire Protection District Board of Trustees met in East Carondelet on Dec. 20 and fired Prairie Du Pont Volunteer Fire Chief John Rosencranz, KTVI reported.
The board gave no reason for the termination as they replaced Chief Rosencranz with Prairie Du Pont Volunteer Fire Assistant Chief Jerame Simmons, who was sitting at the same table.
In a statement released after the meeting on the fire department’s official Facebook page, the board of trustees simply said it had become apparent “over the last several months that a change in the Fire Department’s leadership is needed.”
But their choice to replace the popular Chief Rosencranz quickly became a huge problem.
Simmons is the son of Herb Simmons, the long-time director of the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency, KTVI reported.
But 20 years ago, he pleaded guilty to arson after setting fire to a vacant home and setting a small fire in Dupo High School.
Simmons was 18 when he set the fires, and he told KTVI that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has since pardoned him.
But that’s not good enough for the firefighters on the department that he will be heading and some members of the community he will serve.
“It’s a pardon. Still, the town remembers the school being set on fire,” former Prairie Du Pont Volunteer Fire Captain Laura Rosencranz, who is also the wife of the now-former chief, told KTVI.
“The town remembers the house set on fire where we had firefighters fall and be injured,” Laura Rosencranz added.
A soon as the board appointed Simmons to acting chief, firefighters rose from their seats and began turning in gear right in the meeting room along with their resignations, FOX News reported.
By the time the meeting had ended, 10 of the 13 firefighters on the department had submitted their resignations.
“I think it’s appalling and disgusting,” the now-former Chief Rosencranz said. “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.”
Fire chiefs from neighboring departments have said they will step in to fill the gap left by the mass resignation if needed, FOX News reported.
"Board members assured the department they had good reason to oust Rosencranz and elect Simmons in the interim, though they did not share their reasoning."
Yes, lots more to this.
Which blue state has a fire chief that has been convicted of felony arson?
Ten of thirteen quit RIGHT THEN.
And Simmons? As the NY Post reports, "The chiefs of two nearby departments phoned in a vote of confidence for Simmons, who they said had years of experience at area departments. They also promised to send volunteers in their own ranks as the department seeks new firefighters to replace those who quit."
Here: https://nypost.com/2021/12/23/convicted-arsonist-faces-fury-for-promotion-to-fire-chief/
So. One was his wife, the “Captain”, others were equally fat as that pair. Bet neither, nor butt-crack boy that threw his jacket on the table, could negotiate a ladder. And the others?
What difference does it makd that he was pardoned? Pardons are usually the most political action.
Maybe if they found other sources for the news, this might be a feel-good story. Wayward 18-year old sets, gets caught, and convicted of setting fires. Over 20 years he not only makes amends, but works at the local and area fire departments. He even gets pardoned by the governor. Several months ago he earns position as assistant chief, not gets role as acting chief and the endorsement of chiefs from surrounding fire departments. Yes, people can turn their lives around. A nice Hallmark story just in time for Christmas.
20 years ago, he pleaded guilty to arson after setting fire to a vacant home and setting a small fire in Dupo High School.
Now-former Chief Rosencranz said. “I didn’t expect it to be a couple of days before Christmas.”
You are ridiculous. So, maybe the previous chief had issues and needed to go...I dunno.
However, there is NO WAY a convicted arsonist should ever be appointed to such a position. It’s not like he was twelve when he did it...TWICE. He was eighteen years old. Sure, he got a pardon due to his father’s political connections...but good grief.
Let’s pardon some armed robbers and make them bank managers...why not??
Reno likes an arsonist as Fire Chief.
HOW ABOUT a cop killer as chief of police?
Let’s be reasonable here. These were two fires 20+ years ago and he’s worked at this and area firehouses since. Obviously everyone was fine to give him a second chance and he’s had twenty years to prove himself. He’s not someone with a past conviction thrown into this role, without knowing more or less, I’d say he’s likely earned his new position and the endorsement of area fire chiefs should count for something.
Overall, I'd like to cheer the underdog on occasion and what I've read of and by the Rosencranz couple, I think good riddance they are gone.
Brandon is gutting emergency/police services so he can bring in his own people, and make the public turn to the feds for policing and fire etc.
For God’s sake he was CONVICTED of Arson! How many posts can you make on one thread defending this lunacy. Go back to your Mother’s basement you ANTIFA troll.
“Let’s be reasonable here.”
Reno is an arson supporter.
Well, I wouldn’t hire a person who was convicted of pedophilia 20 years ago to babysit my kids no matter who pardoned them.
According to research by the National Institutes of Health,
90% of arsonists had recorded mental health histories, and of those 36% had the major mental illness of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. 64% were abusing alcohol or drugs at the time of their firesetting.
I guess I am trying to be generous here. As I read the various articles, he started two small fires, for unknown reasons or circumstance when he was around 18. He was convicted, completed his sentence. He since has worked at that and other fire departments so if they are intolerant of arsonists as everyone here, I figure there was more to that story. Anyway, he has worked in fire departments for up to 20 years. He has a pardon, which also supports giving him a pass on the 20-year old conviction. Plus, he was already the assistant chief and we hear nothing, absolutely nothing from the fat Rosencranz couple about that. No, they are upset now to be fired and replaced by their assistant fire chief. And lastly, this new guy was endorsed by other fire chiefs in the area. That has got to count for something as well since one might think they’d rather not be associated with a convicted arsonist. So, yes, I think whatever happened 20 years ago was resolved, he’s built up a track record of experience and respect that earned him this new role.
I wouldn’t waste too much time posting to someone who is defending this appointment. Our side has it’s crackpots too.
this is akin to our entire govt...once they get a little power they’ll just shaft the voters....
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