Here's a more polished take on the decision by Chicago's OEMC to implement permanent shift assignments for Chicago Fire Alarm Operators, including dispatchers and call takers. This comes from Don Washington's Mayoral Tutorial:
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This caught my attention: the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is reportedly making some changes aimed at saving $9.2 million. As I read this, I couldn't help but wonder—what happened to the $40 million in waste, fraud, and inefficiency that Inspector General Joseph Ferguson identified years ago?
Let’s start with the bad news. Before Mayor Emanuel took office, the Tutorial aired a show focusing on fire safety and the 911 system. Among all the episodes we produced, this one generated the most anxiety among viewers. Now, faced with these proposed changes, it seems OEMC hasn’t addressed any of the issues raised in that report exposing millions in waste.
To set the stage, OEMC has a long history of dysfunction. During the Daley administration, it was notorious for corruption. Take, for instance, James Argiropoulos, the former First Deputy Executive Director, who lied to the FCC to push through a $168 million no-bid contract with Motorola. Or recall the $23 million investment in cutting-edge digital communication equipment that never saw use. After spending $6 million upgrading the system, calls started dropping left and right.
Now, Gary Schenkel, OEMC’s Executive Director, claims that switching 86 fire communications officers from rotating schedules to fixed ones isn’t a big deal. But the union representing these workers, IBEW Local 9, disagrees strongly. They argue that no major U.S. city uses fixed shifts for fire dispatchers, predicting increased stress, higher overtime costs, and more sick leave. They also warn that inexperienced dispatchers will likely be on duty during emergencies, leading to poorer service at greater expense—a textbook example of government inefficiency.
Interestingly, this change stems partly from rising overtime costs. Last time Mayor Emanuel downsized the OEMC workforce, cutting 45 police dispatchers and reducing overall staffing by 10, overtime became unavoidable. Dispatchers were overwhelmed, trying to keep track of calls while under immense pressure.
What worries me most is that Schenkel seems entirely out of his depth. He previously served as Director of the Federal Protective Service under the Bush administration, where his performance was described as “unspeakable.†His tenure at the FPS was marked by failures to secure federal buildings properly, inadequate screening procedures, and untrained contractors. Given his track record, it’s hard to trust his judgment on this matter.
Schenkel insists the new arrangement will pay off, arguing that results will speak for themselves after 90 days. Yet, based on his past actions, I’m skeptical. Instead of addressing long-standing issues, he’s tinkering with a system that appears to function reasonably well. Meanwhile, Mayor Emanuel’s policies haven’t exactly inspired confidence either, particularly regarding policing and education.
In conclusion, while Schenkel claims savings, I fear these changes could backfire. Instead of improving efficiency, they might lead to chaos. Let’s hope I’m wrong—but if history is any guide, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
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This version maintains the original tone while expanding on certain points and adding context to create a richer narrative.
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