Delavan approves interim public safety director and changes to fire command structure

Delavan officials approved creating a public safety director position and an interim fire department command structure after the city’s fire leadership changed.

The decision, made by the finance committee and then the Delavan Common Council, follows the retirement of Fire Chief O'Neil and the resignation of Assistant Fire Chief John O'Neil, leaving the department “in a difficult position,” according to Chief Hansen, who said he would take on administrative responsibilities in the interim.

Chief Hansen said the public safety director would handle administrative functions — not day-to-day operations — and that he had discussed the plan with the mayor, Alderman Wilson and staff. “I would just take care of the administrative functions. I wouldn't be obviously doing any of the operations,” Chief Hansen said, adding that the interim structure is intended to provide a smoother budgeting process and clearer administrative oversight.

Nut graf: Council members said the change aims to shore up the department’s administration while keeping operational staffing and response unchanged. The council and finance committee emphasized that the measure is intended to make budgeting and administrative oversight more transparent and that the interim roles could be made permanent after evaluation.

In discussion, officials outlined a multi-stage plan: maintain current operational staffing, appoint an interim assistant chief and a lieutenant, involve captains and lieutenants more in budgeting and discipline, and prepare an explicit budget request. Chief Hansen said the city would begin the budget process once interim appointments are in place and that the “interim” label is hoped to be removed in November if the plan works as intended.

A finance committee member who spoke during the meeting thanked Hansen for taking on the larger role and said the structure would allow the city to work with existing personnel rather than bringing in an outsider. The finance committee moved to approve the creation of the public safety director and the fire department command structure as presented; the motion carried by voice vote. The full council then moved and seconded the same measure and approved it by voice vote; the mayor and aldermen recorded “aye” and the motion passed.

Council members said they expect captains and the lieutenant to spend more time on training, budgeting and discipline. The specific wage increases or stipend amounts discussed for captains and lieutenants were not specified in the meeting record; staff was thanked for preparing proposed wage levels on short notice.

The action is administrative: council approved creating the public safety director position and an interim command structure and directed staff to implement the interim appointments and prepare the related budget details. Officials described the vote as a step to stabilize department administration while preserving operational capabilities.

Ending: Council members did not set final compensation figures or remove the interim labels at the meeting; follow-up budget review and potential personnel confirmations will occur during the normal budget process and at future meetings.