Firefighter/paramedic joins Mendota Fire Department

staff
Posted 1/19/21

MENDOTA – A new full-time member was welcomed to the Mendota Fire Department at the regular meeting of the Mendota City Council on Jan. 18.

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Firefighter/paramedic joins Mendota Fire Department

Posted

By KIP CHEEK

Staff writer

MENDOTA – A new full-time member was welcomed to the Mendota Fire Department at the regular meeting of the Mendota City Council on Jan. 18.

Brady Rutishauser was sworn in as a full-time firefighter/paramedic by Paula Daley of the Police & Fire Commission. He is the son of the current fire chief, Dennis Rutishauser. Chief Rutishauser humorously explained that he knew Brady was destined to be a firefighter when at a young age he attempted to put out a small flame that flared up as Dennis was cooking on the barbecue grill.

Brady Rutishauser has progressed through different phases of firefighter instruction, beginning with the Explorer program. He attended a firefighter course through the LaSalle-Peru Vocational School and was also a member of the Cadet program through the Mendota Fire Department. He has most recently been a firefighter/EMT. Brady replaces Terry Eutis, who retired in December.

Alderman Kyle Kim reported on the Mendota Area Senior Services lease agreement with the city. MASS occupies the Feik Senior Parlor at the Mendota Civic Center. He said it has been agreed upon to keep the monthly rental fee at $250 through Sept. 30. Then on Oct. 1, the new rate will be $400. The fee will be reviewed on a yearly basis.

Alderman Jim Fitzpatrick presented a proposal for the city to purchase FRP storage tanks for disinfection process at the waste water treatment plant. The council accepted the bid of $39,756 from Drydon Equipment Company of Elgin.

Also during Fitzpatrick’s report, the council adopted an ordinance establishing a Public Works Department and director. Tim Kimrey was appointed to the position to oversee the water, sewer, streets and parks departments.

Mayor David Boelk said he felt it was necessary to have one person direct these departments as the city faces the challenges brought on by the economic impact of the pandemic.

“We are going to start budgeting for the new fiscal year very soon, and it’s a very important process,” stated Boelk. “There needs to be a lot of coordination with everything we have going forward.”

The next regular meeting of the Mendota City Council will be Monday, Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m.