The State Journal- Register
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Robert “Barry” Helmerichs was named Friday as Springfield’s new fire chief.
Helmerichs, who has been with the department for nearly 20 years, assumed the role of acting chief immediately. The Springfield City Council will vote on his appointment Tuesday. If approved, he would be paid $110,000 a year.
Helmerichs, 50, was among nine candidates who applied to replace retired chief John Kulek.
Mayor Tim Davlin appointed a committee headed by former chief J.D. Knox to help select the new chief. The committee narrowed the candidate pool to three finalists, whom Davlin said he personally interviewed.
“Tremendous talent within the Springfield Fire Department,” Davlin said at a news conference to make the announcement. “Could have been any one of the three.”
Davlin said there were a number of reasons he chose Helmerichs, but he specifically noted Helmerichs’ age and tenure. When Helmerichs was asked how long he plans to continue working, his wife was quick to point out she didn’t plan to retire for another seven years, the mayor said.
“I am looking for someone that’s going to be around,” Davlin said.
Helmerichs joined the Springfield Fire Department in 1991 and has served as driver-engineer, captain and deputy chief of technical services. He also has served as a faculty member with the fire science program at Lincoln Land Community College. Before starting with the fire department, he was an engineer-technician for the Sangamon County Highway Department.
Helmerichs said he plans to make some minor changes, but his first priority will be filling staff vacancies. The department has been without an assistant chief since July 6, when Pete Janssen retired.
“I’ll make a pledge that the fire department will continue their service and support and protection of the public, the citizens of Springfield, to the best of our abilities with the sources we have at our disposal,” said Helmerichs.
However, he is taking over at a difficult time.
The fire department has a number of staff vacancies, while city government as a whole continues to face financial challenges. To balance the budget, most city workers had to take six furlough days before Sept. 1 this year. Additional furloughs are a possibility.
In March, 17 Springfield firefighters were laid off briefly. As a result, fire stations were closed temporarily on a rotating basis throughout the city.
An agreement between the city and the fire department was reached, which included a no-layoff guarantee through August in exchange for contract concessions.
Davlin said Helmerichs will be quickly brought up to speed on budget issues.
“It can only get better,” Davlin said. “I think we’ve pretty much seen the bottom of this, our financial woes. I certainly hope so.
“He’s coming in at one tough time,” the mayor added, “But he’s been around long enough to understand exactly where we were in the past and where we’re going to be in the future.”
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