Article Summary: The Mokena Fire Protection District Board of Trustees appointed Chris Surdel as a Fire Commissioner and approved increasing the hours for an office coordinator to full-time. The personnel moves, which aim to manage an increasing administrative workload, were approved unanimously as part of a new consent agenda format.

MFPD Personnel Changes Key Points:

• Chris Surdel was appointed to serve as a Fire Commissioner.

• Office Coordinator Keyla Darwent’s position was increased to full-time status at 32 hours per week.

• The district is still in the process of hiring a replacement for a vacant firefighter/paramedic position.

MOKENA — The Mokena Fire Protection District has a new Fire Commissioner and has expanded its administrative staff to full-time status. During their July 8 meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Chris Surdel as Fire Commissioner and increased the work hours for Office Coordinator Keyla Darwent.

The items were passed as part of a consent agenda, which the district plans to use for routine matters moving forward.

According to Fire Chief Joe Cirelli’s report, Darwent was willing to increase her hours to full-time, working four days a week for a total of 32 hours. Cirelli supported the move, noting her workload was “commensurate with what Nancy’s workload was,” referring to a recently retired employee. With the increased hours, Darwent will be provided insurance per district policy.

Cirelli also told the board he anticipates a similar request for another staff member, Rebecca Duffy, in the coming months as her workload shifts more toward community engagement and risk reduction.

While bolstering its administrative staff, the district is still searching to fill a frontline position. Cirelli’s report confirmed, “We are still in the process of finding a replacement for the vacant firefighter/paramedic position.”