Clarendon Hills Undervalues EMS: Ex-Medic

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – A longtime Clarendon Hills paramedic resigned in April, taking the fire department's leadership to task for its handling of emergency medical services.

Scott Pilafas, who worked as a Clarendon Hills paramedic for 19 years, submitted his resignation April 10. He singled out Fire Chief Brian Leahy for criticism.

"The current leadership in the department has made it unbearable to work," Pilafas said. "The Chief places value on local department members with minimal experience while undervaluing Firefighter/Paramedics who are needed for the majority of calls... This continues to create a toxic divide in the department."

Leahy did not return messages for comment left on Monday and Thursday.

In his resignation letter, Pilafas said he was vocal about the fire department not replacing the ladder truck. Leahy and other department leaders strongly favored buying a truck, despite the village manager's reservations.

"It's hard to work for leadership that doesn't respect Paramedics and has never had to be a Paramedic or walk in our shoes," Pilafas said in the letter. "You can add me to the list of the over 70 Paramedics that have come through the door in the past 19 years."

As with all paramedics and firefighters in Clarendon Hills, Pilafas is part time. He is a full-time Chicago firefighter.

In an interview, Pilafas said the fire department is buying a new ambulance, but may have no one to staff it. He said these staffing problems have occurred while the fire department put its emphasis on a new ladder truck.

In March, Chief Leahy said the village needed paramedics, but said the fire department could cover its ambulance shifts.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained documents related to Pilafas' resignation.

Pilafas emailed his letter on a Saturday to Village Manager Kevin Barr.

Leahy caught wind of Pilafas' departure the following Monday when Loyola's EMS system noted it in an email to fire department officials.

When Leahy received the letter from Assistant Village Manager Zach Creer, the chief commented, "Wow, nice letter."