CHICAGO— Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt celebrated the graduation of 42 Firefighter EMTs and 41 Fire Paramedics from the Fire Academy in a ceremony held at Navy Pier.
“I am honored to celebrate Chicago’s 83 newest first responders as they dedicate themselves to a future of bravery, selflessness, and service,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “At the Chicago Fire Department, these graduates will join a team who never fails to show up for each other or our city.
We thank you for your tireless dedication to building safer communities across Chicago every single day.”
“Graduation is just the beginning,” said Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt. “These firefighters and paramedics are entering a career that will challenge them, inspire them, and give them countless opportunities to positively impact the lives of others.
We are excited to see the leaders they will become.”
Candidates graduating today completed a rigorous six-month training course at the Robert Quinn Fire Academy that includes courses for certification as an emergency medical technician and Illinois Firefighter or Fire Paramedic.
Training includes not only basic firefighting skills, but also operation in confined space and specific rescue techniques for search, rescue and extrication as well as coordinating medical services with hospitals, mental health clinicians and dispatchers.
Paramedics are licensed by an accredited institution before joining the Fire Department, and new members will begin their district assignments with CFD Emergency Medical Services this month.
Following graduation, the new members will be assigned to various firehouses based on department needs and lottery selection.
The newly graduated paramedics will begin their district assignments with CFD Emergency Medical Services later this July.