Dolton firefighters took their frustrations straight to village leaders Monday, lining the sidewalk outside village offices with signs and warnings that, in their view, the department is running on fumes. Union representatives say a mix of failing equipment and unresolved questions about who is legally allowed to be in charge has left both crews and residents exposed. The picket was timed to overlap with a village board meeting that firefighters hoped would finally put their concerns on the record.
Firefighters' complaints
Union members told reporters that interim Fire Chief Quention Curtis is not certified and has stayed in the job beyond the 180-day interim window they say state rules allow, a gap they argue could weaken command authority and liability protections, according to ABC7 Chicago. On top of that, they say critical gear is sidelined. Operational SCBA air packs, the breathing equipment firefighters rely on in smoke and toxic air, have dropped from eight to five, and they report that only one engine is currently in service. Those numbers, they argue, turn routine calls into gambles.
Village response
A village spokesperson pushed back, insisting the protest had less to do with safety and more to do with money. "This protest is not about safety; it is about the fact that overtime has been reduced by more than $30,000," the spokesperson told ABC7 Chicago. The village also described Curtis as "highly qualified" and credited him with working to increase diversity in the department. Officials framed recent scheduling and pay changes as the real flashpoint, not a breakdown in equipment or leadership.
Chief's background
Quention "Q" Curtis was sworn in as Dolton's fire chief last October and has spent years in Chicago-area firefighting and training roles, according to the Chicago Defender. He founded the Black Fire Brigade to mentor and train aspiring first responders, and the group highlights its recruitment work and youth pathways on its website.
What's next
Video from FOX 32 Chicago shows firefighters pacing with picket signs outside village offices as trustees prepared to convene. Union leaders said they expected the board to formally acknowledge the complaints during the meeting. What trustees choose to do next, whether that means ordering audits, pressing for certifications or hammering out fixes at the bargaining table, will determine if this standoff stays in the public meeting room or shifts into legal and labor arenas.
Bottom line
Firefighters describe their protest as a plea for immediate repairs, replacement apparatus and clear leadership so they can roll out to calls without added risk. Village officials, for their part, insist the real dispute centers on overtime and budget adjustments. Hoodline will update this story if trustees take action or officials release documents or additional statements.
