Elmhurst May Settle With Firefighter

Elmhurst IL

07 March, 2022

7:23 AM

Description

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst City Council on Monday is set to vote on a settlement with Eric Burmeister, who has been a firefighter for years. Burmeister is not listed in the city's staff directory. The resolution authorizing the settlement is in the City Council's online meeting agenda. But the agenda does not include the settlement and corresponding "separation" agreement. Settlements are considered public documents under the state's open records law. Illinois Labor Relations Board records show the local firefighters union filed a complaint against the city in defense of Burmeister and other firefighters. On June 27, 2020, the city held a training exercise for firefighters that involved a ladder climb while wearing a truck belt. When Burmeister was preparing the climb, he was unable to clasp the truck belt and thus unable to complete that portion of the exercise, according to labor board records. Later that day, he was able to clasp the belt. When he said he was ready to complete the exercise, he was told it was unnecessary, the records state. Two weeks later, Burmeister was placed on paid administrative leave pending a fitness-of-duty test. He was told he needed to complete the exercise by July 15. He also was informed he failed to finish another drill on April 9, 2020. Burmeister was further told he must release detailed health records to the city, to which Burmeister and the union objected, according to labor board records. In a July 15, 2020, medical examination, Burmeister presented a letter to the health care provider limiting what information could be released to the city. On Aug. 4, 2020, the city required Burmeister to sign a full release of his medical information and threatened discipline if he refused to comply, according to the labor board. Burmeister then withdrew his letter to the health care provider, so a detailed medical report could be provided. A couple of weeks later, the city notified Burmeister's lawyer that he could return to work in a "medium capacity" job, the records said. This was after he had signed a letter about the reason for his weight gain and his ability to work. The union refused to sign the letter, alleging the city violated medical privacy laws. In December 2020, the city held a simulation exercise that involved employees maneuvering through a maze and crawling through small spaces. At the point where the space narrowed, Burmeister was unable to fit, the records said. According to the labor board's information, then-Deputy Fire Chief Bill Anaszewicz, now the acting chief, told Burmeister after the maze exercise that he had done a good job.