Oak Park staff recommend overhire pilot to add firefighter-paramedics, estimated $700,000 first-year cost
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Summary
Staff told trustees that adding six firefighter-paramedics would cost about $700,000 in year one and raised levy pressure by about 1.78 points; staff recommended an overhire approach (3/6/9) to pilot the increase while seeking overtime savings and new revenue streams to offset costs.
Finance staff presented a memo analyzing firefighter-paramedic additions and recommended an overhire pilot rather than an immediate structural budget increase. The memo said the cost of adding six firefighter-paramedics would be about $700,000 in year one and could increase the levy by roughly 1.78 percentage points if budgeted permanently.
Staff proposed using an overhire ordinance to allow the village to hire in excess of budgeted FTEs in 2026 so the village can pilot the staffing increase, measure overtime savings, and explore new revenue sources (for example, state funding tied to certain calls for service) before making a permanent change. Staff noted the village has used overhire previously and could adopt a similar ordinance for FY2026.
Fire Chief JT Terry endorsed the approach, saying the state's new hiring process will speed hiring and that added personnel would reduce overtime and support firefighter wellness. "The state changing their process is allowing us to hire quicker," Chief Terry said, emphasizing faster candidate processing and the potential to close staffing gaps.
Staff said hiring could begin as early as January using an existing eligibility list; because academy and preceptor training are required, staff estimated meaningful operational impacts within months and visibility into overtime reductions during 2026.