Carbondale Reporter

Marion has bolstered its fire department staff by bringing an experienced firefighter on board through a lateral-move hiring project.

Ben Schultz is joining the staff as a fully trained and certified firefighter. That means he’ll be paid more than the typical trainee, though he’ll have to wait a year before receiving the full salary.

“Chief (Tim) Barnett was unable to be here, he is out of town, and Ben Schultz could not be here,” Commissioner John Barwick said in a video recording of the June 13 council meeting. “But they will be here at the next meeting to introduce Ben to the council and the community.” 

Lateral-movement hiring allows public service departments – such as police and fire units – to hire someone with a few years of experience. That save the village from having to train a newcomer. Because they are already certified, they come in at a pay grade that is between a trainee and a full-level firefighter. 

The Marion fire department in May received 68 callouts. The breakdown included nine calls for fires, 16 calls for EMS and rescue, 12 calls for hazardous conditions other than fires, nine calls for service, nine calls for good intent, and 13 calls for activated alarms.