MySuburbanLife.com recently featured an article about the ongoing disciplinary proceedings against a battalion chief from the Carol Stream Fire Protection District. According to the report, both parties have now concluded their final arguments in the hearing regarding the potential termination of Joseph Gilles, who claims his suspension stems from his refusal to cover up what he perceives as negligence within the fire district. Meanwhile, district officials maintain that his dismissal is due to unrelated performance issues.
The controversy began when Gilles was suspended back in September 2013 for insubordination, after declining to sign a performance improvement plan (PIP) issued by District Chief Richard Kolomay. The district has since cited Gilles' alleged performance deficiencies, including concerns over his weight and allegations of him sleeping on the job, as grounds for termination.
Kolomay's attorney, Karl Ottosen, emphasized during the hearing that prior to resorting to formal discipline, Kolomay had made numerous efforts to assist Gilles in improving his performance. He argued that in a paramilitary organization like a fire department, compliance with top-down directives is essential. "In a paramilitary structure, employees don't have the luxury of picking and choosing which orders they follow," Ottosen stated. "Once a directive is given, it must be obeyed unless it violates the law."
However, Gilles' attorney, Aldo Botti, contends that the root cause of this disciplinary action dates back to an incident that occurred in August 2012. During that time, a paramedic allegedly attempted to intubate an 81-year-old woman experiencing a choking episode, despite food still obstructing her airway. A second paramedic arrived on the scene, cleared the obstruction, and transported the woman to the hospital, where she unfortunately passed away three days later.
Following this event, Kolomay tasked Gilles with conducting an internal investigation. After reviewing the case, Gilles recommended that the involved paramedic should be dismissed. Instead of following through with this recommendation, the paramedic was required to sign a PIP. Similarly, Gilles himself was ordered to oversee the completion of a comparable PIP related to issues raised by Kolomay. Despite concluding that the paramedic had satisfactorily completed her plan, Gilles still maintained his stance that she should be terminated.
Botti criticized the PIPs as being vague and subjective, arguing that they gave Kolomay undue authority to determine whether an employee passed or failed. He insisted that such discretionary power lies outside Kolomay's jurisdiction.
Ottosen, representing Kolomay, redirected attention away from the choking incident during the hearing, focusing instead on Gilles' refusal to sign the PIP. "Two paramedics involved in that case have already been discredited; this situation has no bearing on the current matter," Ottosen stated. "As long as a directive is lawful, it must be adhered to without exception."
Due to the extensive documentation and evidence needing review, the Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners will deliberate in closed session starting this Wednesday. The public is expected to learn the outcome of these discussions during the next open hearing scheduled for October 15th at 4:30 PM.
This ongoing dispute highlights complex dynamics within emergency services organizations, where leadership expectations often clash with individual interpretations of ethical responsibility. As more details emerge, the implications could significantly impact how such cases are handled moving forward.
Disinfect, Rinse, Fill, Screw Cover 4-in-1 Medium Temperature Aseptic Filling Machine
King Whale Machinery Group J.S , https://www.baitextile.com