Two minutes before Sycamore’s City Council meeting was to begin, a group of firefighters ran out the door upon the sound of a ringing pager.

The firefighters were at Monday’s meeting to introduce the department’s newest recruit, Brian Thompson. A reported chimney fire on Mt. Hunger Road broke out and delayed his introduction.

It was only a minor fire but, had it been more serious, Sycamore’s fire department has the National Incident Management System to help it network in emergency situations.

Chief Bill Riddle announced Illinois as one of three model states for its fire emergency response network. Illinois is adopting the system across the state.

NIMS is only a different acronym for the system the department already uses, Riddle said. “[It is] purely a way that we manage people and resources,” he said.

If firefighters are hurt on duty, the council’s adoption of an insurance plan covering workers’ compensation and liability will help aid them.

The council voted unanimously to use the Illinois Municipal League’s insurance plan at a cost of $263,627.84 per year.

“Because of its size, it has offered the best in workman’s compensation and liability,” said Sycamore City Manager Bill Nicklas.

Fourth Ward Alderman Terry Kessler said there is concern that some workers have been awarded overly generous settlements.

“Many times it is out of our control and we’re at the mercy of the arbitrator,” she said.

Nicklas said the best way to deal with this is to give people work only when it exists and not create it for them. Some jobs don’t allow for perfect safety techniques, but teaching the techniques could also help in some situations, he said.