It Pays to Be an Orland Park Firefighter

By aaroncynic in News on Jul 21, 2011 6:00PM

Apparently, it’s not only State workers and teachers that make too much money, but other civil servants as well. Yesterday, the Tribune took a look at the salary of the average Orland Park firefighter and found that most of the southwest suburban town’s firefighters brought home six figures. The article reports that Orland Park has one of the largest operating budgets of the suburbs at just under $30 million, which puts it just under Aurora’s $34.6 million and above Naperville’s $28.8 million.

Fire District Board President James Hickey hasn’t exactly said that firefighters were overpaid, but has been critical of overtime and pensions, which make up a significant portion of the salaries. Hickey told the Tribune, “Back in school, no one thinks that a firefighter is going to make $200,000 a year with pay and benefits.”

Not everyone agrees with that sentiment, however. Hillside Fire Chief Mike Kuryla told the Trib, “With the average, blue-shirt fireman today making about $70,000 after a couple of years on the job, it wouldn’t take much overtime to get $100,000.

Considering what these men and women do for us, risking their lives for the safety of others on a daily basis, we find it hard to criticize their compensation. If one of the more affluent towns in the south suburbs can afford to pay their firefighters six figures, then we’re all for it. We only wish there was more money to go around for those who were making less.