Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt presided over the graduation of 70 new members of the Chicago Fire Department at a ceremony held at Navy Pier. The graduating class included 55 Firefighter EMTs and 15 Fire Paramedics.
“This is a day of celebration and transformation for our communities who are gaining new highly dedicated and brave first responders,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “These women and men are joining a family in the Chicago Fire Department who will uplift them and show up for them every day. The people of Chicago stand with our first responders and never take them for granted. As Mayor, I’m honored to serve beside today’s honorees as we work to build safer, vibrant communities.”
“These candidates stand here today because they chose a life built on service,” said Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt. “Joining the Chicago Fire Department means stepping forward when others step back. The dedication these new members bring ensures our communities are safer and better supported than they were yesterday.”
The graduates completed six months of training at the Robert Quinn Fire Academy, which covered certification courses for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) as well as Illinois firefighter or fire paramedic qualifications. Their training included basic firefighting skills, confined space operations, search and rescue techniques, extrication procedures, and coordination with hospitals, mental health clinicians, and dispatchers.
Before joining the department, paramedics must be licensed by an accredited institution. Following their graduation, all new members will begin district assignments with CFD Emergency Medical Services this month. They will be assigned to various firehouses based on departmental needs and a lottery system.