Too funny, Convicted Arsonist Named Chief of Fire Department
 

Convicted Arsonist Named Chief of Fire Department Sparks Resignations

Aman previously convicted of arson has been named the acting fire chief of an Illinois fire department, sparking a wave of resignations in the process.

The board at the Prairie Du Pont Volunteer Fire Department, in St. Clair County, removed Chief John Rosencranz and replaced him with Assistant Chief Jerame Simmons, who has previously been convicted of arson, according to Fox2Now.

In a Sunday statement shared on the fire department's Facebook page, the board of trustees said it "did not act lightly" in making the decision.

The statement added: "While the board appreciates the prior service of Chief Rosenkranz, it has become apparent to the board over the last several months that a change in the Fire Department's leadership is needed.

"The board is aware that some of the current officers and members of the fire department may disagree with the board's decision, however, the position of the fire chief under state law is at the pleasure of the board of trustees, and in order for that position to be effectively served, the trustees must have a good working relationship with the person serving as chief and it must have confidence in the leadership being provided."

It later continued: "The board has full confidence in Acting Chief Simmons' ability to lead the department during the transition period until a new chief is appointed by the board. The board hopes members of the fire department will work with the acting chief to provide quality emergency services to the residents and property owners of the district during the transition period."

But, according to Fox2Now, the board's comments did little to ease the concerns of numerous firefighters who quit on the spot when learning of Simmons' appointment.

In a letter addressed to the board of trustees, members of the Prairie Du Pont Fire Department said they had "no confidence" in Simmons or Wade Bivins to lead crews.

The letter, also shared on Facebook, leveled serious allegations of Simmons and said he had "shown a lack of respect" towards firefighters.

It read: "It will come to you as no surprise to you the association feels that Jerame Simmons Sr's appointment has promoted an undermining work environment by continually going against the fire chief and questioning his decisions.

"The past few months have been disheartening. Jerame's recent behavior on high stakes calls, during training, and illegal activities such as OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] has shown a lack of respect for the department and the rank structure we adhere to.

"The Prairie Du Pont Fire's Association feels his actions have contributed to moral and internal conflict among the department members."

It added members would vote "no confidence" in both Simmons and Bivins and that they wanted a "proper leadership selection."

According to Fox2News, Simmons pleaded guilty to arson 20 years ago after he was accused of setting fire to a vacant building, and also set another one at Dupo High School.

Simmons was 18 at the time, served probation and has since been pardoned by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D), according to the outlet.

Former fire captain Laura Rosencranz, the wife of the outgoing chief, told Fox2News: "It's a pardon. Still, the town remembers the school being set on fire. The town remembers the house set on fire where we had firefighters fall and be injured."

John Rosencranz, the former chief, told the outlet: "I think it's appalling and disgusting. We're not going to have the adequate protection here. It's not going to be as it should be here.

"I'm kind of blindsided but not. I knew it was coming, but I didn't expect it to be a couple of days before Christmas."

A department firefighter, who wanted to remain anonymous, shared documents with Newsweek that showed Simmons had applied to become a member earlier this year, but later withdrew his application.

The firefighter told Newsweek: "Jerame was not accepted by the fire department membership, in fact, he withdrew his application with us.

"The protection district board unusually appointed him to the fire department, as an assistant chief in a special meeting on August 26, 2021.

"He was also removed from our department for his now pardoned arson conviction, in 1998. We have presented this issue to the district with no resolution."

An additional document shared with Newsweek showed Simmons had been on probation at the fire department in 1998, but was removed from its rolls following the arsons.



https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/convicted-arsonist-named-chief-of-fire-department-sparks-resignations/ar-AAS3jas?ocid=msedgntp

This must be a thing. Twice in my time around here, we have had arsons which were eventually tied to local firefighters .
2 different events, and 2 different fire fighters from different localities .

Probably similar to pedophiles that get positions working with kids. If you've got a thing for fire, working with fire probably seems like a pretty awesome gig. Fortunately, I suspect like the previously mentioned pedos, it's probably a tiny, tiny minority in the grand scheme.

Only in America...

Eh.

The FBI has had former identity in their employ to fight identity theft.

Seems to me that the legit complaints should be what is in the here and now.

Not all that unusual for FF to be a little too fond of their foe.

Ya think? I think that's a silly thought myself. I have no doubt that all sorts of shenanigans occur all over the place. The US doesn't have the market cornered on silly bureaucracy.

I've always said that when there is a really big fire, you want to look at the guy beating off across the street or in the back of the fire truck. That's your guy. :)

Hey it keeps em busy...better n sittin around the fire house eating hot dogs an potato chips..

I'm sure that's the rationale. Gotta stay sharp.

Well... He's certainly passionate about fires.

we get it around here too. "Hero fireman discovers fire in the middle of the night and valiantly put's it out saving the entire town."

The new chief should be an expert on arson investigations. He will not want other arsonists moving in on his territory.

Weird I'm having a tough time finding a pic of Jerame Simmons.

Aight, well here's Simone Simmons instead.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1640264296.jpg

What's your theory on that?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1640286199.jpg

Train abusive priests to be fire fighters. Train the arsonists to be priests. But when smoke comes out of the church, better call the FD just in case.

The Inglewood, CA FD chief had a brilliant idea to make money by stealing his stations radios and hock them online. He needed to cover the crime by burning down the station. The fire part worked. The hock part didn't. Jail.

Same in Australia too. Volunteer firefighters have had some crazy 'firebugs' sneak into their groups and set bushfires for crazy reasons.

Here in Long Beach we have (or had, he may have retired) an arson investigator that brought the biggest fireworks to 4th of July parties. He had a small bomb that he tossed over a cliff at the beach.

It went boom alright. This thing was about the size of a medium potato.

Yeah, they certainly do have a fascination for the subject. Around here anyway :rolleyes: