Blackmon’s former assistant chief, Derrick Burns, has come out of retirement to be the new fire chief.
Blackmon told a BND reporter that he felt it was time for something new.
“It’s been a long time,” Blackmon said. “ I was the chief for 13 years.”
Burns started his new job June 12, saying he came out of retirement because officials asked him to help with some new fire department projects. “I am happy to do that,” Burns said.
Burns will be paid about $96,000 as the new chief, according to the city government. Blackmon will be paid roughly $55,000 per year.
Former Chief Jason Blackmon, East St. Louis Fire Department. He is now director of the city’s Emergency Disaster Service Agency. Provided by the East St. Louis city government website
Blackmon’s fire department career
Blackmon, 51, started with the East St.Louis Fire Department in September 1997.
“I started as a firefighter. I became a lieutenant, then assistant chief in December 2009 and then the chief of the department in February 2010,” he said.
In his new job, Blackmon will “do whatever it takes to enhance public safety,” he said.
“We want to make the citizens aware of hazardous conditions. We want them to know about emergency conditions. We want to try to get our accreditation back from the state of Illinois,” he said.
He will also be at some crime scenes.
Blackmon has donned many hats as a city employee, including director of regulatory affairs for a year and a half and interim city manager from March to May.
He said choosing a career with the fire department was a good decision.
“It was a good career. It was a good run, 13 years as chief,” Blackmon said. “I made a lot of good connections and met a lot of good people. It felt good serving the community and letting them know they could count on their fire department to be there for them.”
Asked about a downside of the job, Blackmon said not being able to spend as much time with his family as he would’ve liked.
“It’s time for me to enjoy my family. The city is in good hands with Chief Burns,” Blackmon said.
He said he won’t miss getting called away from home at all hours.
He also will miss “the brotherhood” shared with his colleagues. Over the course of a year, he spent many hours with them.
“You spend more time with them than you do with your family,” he said. “ Sometimes it’s 24 hours. Sometimes it’s one hour.”
Asked about one of the most horrific fire scenes he has had to respond to in his career, Blackmon cited the August 2021 apartment fire on 29th Street that killed five children.
“We wish we could’ve been there to help those children extend their lives and let them live a fruitful life,” Blackmon said.
A good moment was helping the city win grant money to bring laid off firefighters back to work, he said.
“It was hard work, but I worked with other communities and they helped me to get the grant. It was vital that we do everything we could to bring those laid off firefighters back,” Blackmon said.
Another big moment was rescuing people from the July 2022 flash flooding in East St. Louis.
“We were able to get those seniors out of the flooded conditions and get them to safe areas. That felt good,” he said.
Blackmon, when asked about some of his other accomplishments with the department, cited the purchase of new, modern equipment like infrared cameras, new ladder trucks and more.
At the time of his retirement this spring, there were 35 people in the department, down from 58 people at its high point.
Derrick Burns was assistant chief for 10 years
Meanwhile, Burns, 60, is excited to take the helm as leader of the department.
He started June 12.
He worked for the department for 26 years, with 10 as assistant chief. So, this is not new ground for him, he said.
“Under this administration and under my command, we’re looking to build a new firehouse, “ he said.
Tentative plans call for the new firehouse to be located at the site of the former junior high school at 33rd and State streets, the new chief said. Other details were not available, including a cost and timetable.
Burns said he is excited to lead the department. He wants the department to be able to buy new trucks and acquire other new equipment. He also wants to increase training for the firefighters.
Burns describes himself as a hands-on chief. “ I have an open-door policy. We’re looking to serve the citizens, the businesses, homeowners and give everyone in East St. Louis, first-rate service,” Burns said.
He said anyone with concerns can contact his office and get a response.
“My guys know that if they can’t get answers from their immediate supervisors, they know they will be able to come to me,” he said. “Communication is imperative. You have to have it. It’s a two-way street.”
Burns said the city administration has asked him to train people for the future. “And, when the next person has to step up and take the reins, they must be able to fully function,” he said. “I look forward to this mission. It’s something we all should do for the leaders of tomorro
