Crime & Safety

BCFPD Hires Administrator

Kim Mueller to help Fire Chief/Administrator Jeffrey A. Swanson guide Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District through its separation from the Barrington Fire Department.

Submitted by Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District.

The Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District (BCFPD) now has a finance director/administrative assistant as it begins the road to operating as an independent fire department.

Kim Mueller, a financial and administrative professional with 17 years of experience serving area fir departments and districts, will work with Fire Chief/Administrator Jeffrey A. Swanson, who was hired in July, to complete the District’s pending separation from the village of Barrington at years end. The BCFPD will begin operating as an independent fire department on January 1, 2014.

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Mueller’s extensive experience includes nearly 15 years with the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District. As one of that district’s first full-time employees, she played an important role in the organization’s transformation from a paid-on call department to one with nearly 40 full-time firefighters.

She developed and implemented an ambulance billing system, prepared annual budgets and tax levies, managed operational finances, and maintained district records. In  addition, she trained and managed the district’s office personnel.

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Mueller will handle many of the same responsibilities for the BCFPD. She will also work with Swanson to establish administrative procedures for the new department.

“Looking back, my time in Woodstock helped prepare me for the opportunities that lie ahead for the BCFPD,” she explained. “This is a great opportunity to achieve something special. I am proud to be working with Swanson and the Board of Trustees.”

Mueller also possesses an in-depth understanding of BCFPD geography, operations, and its future needs: she spent the previous two years working as an executive assistant at the Barrington Fire Department.

Her prior knowledge of the District, and familiarity with the BCFPD trustees, will help her make an immediate impact.

“There is less of a learning curve because I am already familiar with the District’s operations,” she said. “I understand the Board’s expectations for delivering emergency services and look forward to helping achieve those goals.”

“Kim is an extremely talented professional who shares the Board’s and my commitment to providing District residents with superior fire and emergency medical services,” Swanson said. “I am very excited for her to join the team. She works well with District trustees and understands District operations. Her experience will be very valuable as we move forward.”

Mueller’s membership in professional organizations has helped her connect with other professionals in neighboring districts. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Fire Service Administrative Professionals (IFSAP) and is past chair of the McHenry County Municipal Risk Management Association.

Trustees believe those connections will help foster successful relationships with neighboring districts, as the Board begins developing mutual aid agreements designed to promote taxpayer savings and improve service levels.

“Strengthening our relationships with area fire districts is an essential component of our plans to serve District residents more effectively,” Trustee Paul Heinze said. “The connections Kim has made through her IFSAP membership will help ensure our ability to establish and maintain open lines of communication with our neighbors.”

 


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