An Illinois fire chief was elected by a convict arsonist. This led to the resignation of many firefighters, and anger from residents.
Fox 2 Now reported that 10 of the 13 firefighters quit the department Monday. In protest of Assistant Chief Jerame Simon Sr.’s election as the chief of Prairie Du Pont Volunteer Fire Department (Saint Clair County), one of his gear was thrown onto the board.
Simmons was the son of Herb Simmons (long-time director, St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency), who pleaded guilty in arson when he was only 18.
“All of our homes could go up in flames!” one woman lashed out during Monday’s meeting after the ten firefighters quit.
A man who claimed to be a retired firefighter said, “I’ve never seen anything comparable.”
In 1999, Dupo High School’s fire chief, now aged 41, was accused of starting fire in a vacant residence and lighting another fire at Dupo High.
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Ten firemen quit Monday protesting Assistant Chief Jerame Sr’s appointment as chief of Prairie Du Pont Volunteer Fire Department
One of the volunteer firefighters throws his equipment onto the board’s table in outrage after a convicted arsonist was elected fire chief of the Prairie Du Pont Volunteer Fire Department
Former Fire Chief John Rosecranz, left, who was replaced from his post during Monday’s board meeting election, and Jerame Simmons Sr, right, who replaced Rosecranz
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Simmons’ father was the mayor of East Carondelet (Saint Clair County) at the time his son received sentencing.
According to KTVI, he was convicted and served only four years probation. He was then pardoned recently by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
“It is a pardon” The town still remembers the school being set ablaze,’ said Laura Rosencranz, ex-fire captain and wife to John Rosencranz.
“The community remembers the fire at our house, where firefighters were injured and fell.
Rosencranz ex-chief said, “I find it appalling and disgusting.”
“We are not going to get the proper protection here. This is not the right place. It’s not as if I was blindsided, but it is. Although I was aware of its coming, I did not expect it to arrive until a few days prior Christmas.
Simmons, pictured right, served just four years of probation and was later pardoned by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
Simmons was accused in the blaze of a vacant residence, as well as another fire at Du Pont High School.
Photos show Jerame Simmons arson cases from over twenty years ago. Simmons, then 18, pleaded guilty when Simmons took the photos.
Pictured: Ex-Chief John Rosecranz spoke out against Simmons’ replacement on Monday. Simmons is a convicted arsonist.
Although board members suggested that the replacement was done for good reasons, they are yet to reveal the reason to the public.
Rosencranz claimed he was the chief of the department for three years, and that he has been there since 1999. He also stated that he did not believe the board gave him any reason to be fired.
Meanwhile, the chiefs of two neighboring fire departments, Cahokia and Dupo, said they supported Simmons and expressed full confidence in him as acting chief, Fox 2 Now reported.
The members of the board agreed that their respective departments could fill in any gaps created by Monday’s ten resignations.
Eight of the ten firefighters who quit submitted resignation a letter to the board Monday announcing that they were leaving their positions ‘with regret and sorrow.’
Simmons (pictured at left), who was once convicted for arson was appointed acting chief fire officer of the Prairie Du Pont Volunteer Fire Department, St. Clair County. Illinois, on Monday
Pictured: Simmons on the job before he was elected fire chief
Photo: A protest by a firefighter after an arson conviction was overturned and a Prairie Du Pont Volunteer Fire Department chief in St. Clair County (Illinois) was appointed.
Pictured: Prairie Du Pont Volunteer Fire Department in St. Clair County, Illinois
Rosenkranz stated that the firefighters who died felt like they had no choice but to go home.
Rosenkranz claimed that August’s board meeting was unusual in which Simmons was announced as the acting chief assistant to the department.
Rosenkranz stated that the board did not notify him beforehand, even though he worked full-time at the fire station for 40 hours per week.
Rosenkranz said that community safety is at greater risk due to the recent loss of half the volunteers from the fire department.
‘It’s not important that I’m the chief or not the chief,’ Rosenkranz said.
‘It’s about … making sure everything’s taken care of.’