Recently, some African American firefighters and paramedics in Chicago have voiced strong concerns over the leadership of Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago and have called on Mayor Rahm Emanuel to take action. They also urge the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into the practices of the Chicago Fire Department. Mayor Emanuel has pointed out that the DOJ has been overseeing the department's promotion tests since 1980 and emphasized that the city remains committed to working alongside the DOJ. The African American Firefighters & Paramedics League insists that racial discrimination persists within the CFD, despite previous court orders mandating the hiring and promotion of black firefighters. Historically, the Chicago Fire Department has faced numerous allegations of discriminatory hiring practices. Recent class-action lawsuits have helped diversify the ranks of firefighters and emergency personnel, yet some claim that harsh disciplinary actions and missed promotion opportunities disproportionately affect African Americans. It is uncommon for firefighters to publicly criticize their department, but representatives from Chicago's African American firefighting community recently shared unsettling claims. James Winbush, president of the African American Firefighters & Paramedics League, stated, "Systemic racism exists within the Chicago Fire Department." They demand an investigation into hiring and promotion practices and have called for the removal of Fire Commissioner Santiago. Winbush mentioned that they've engaged in multiple discussions with the commissioner over the last five years, only to find his actions inconsistent with his promises. Mayor Emanuel highlighted recent efforts to rectify past hiring injustices and affirmed his support for Commissioner Santiago. Both the mayor and commissioner stress the importance of equal treatment and opportunity. Despite the inclusion of African American applicants following legal settlements, current issues persist. Vickie Beals, a CFD ambulance commander, shared her frustration: "Even with my qualifications, work history, and experience, I’ve faced demotion and unfair treatment." In a recent incident, concerns arose when a firehouse predominantly staffed by African American firefighters received new beds amidst their press conference. Gregory Boggs, another representative from the league, emphasized, "We don't seek special treatment; we simply ask for fairness." Excerpts from WLSAM.com:
There's a fresh push for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's resignation, this time initiated by some members of the city's firefighting community. James Winbush, the founder of the African American Firefighter and Paramedic League of Chicago, criticized what he described as unfair hiring practices within the fire department. He's demanding not only the dismissal of Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago but also Mayor Emanuel himself. Winbush accused Emanuel of fostering a hostile environment for minorities, labeling him as "racist," "incompetent," and a "union buster." According to Winbush, among the city's 4,800 firefighters, 753 are Black. He also urged the U.S. Department of Justice, which is currently investigating the Chicago Police Department, to extend its scrutiny to the fire department's hiring procedures. Excerpts from theChicagoTribune.com:
An organization representing African-American firefighters and paramedics has petitioned the U.S. Department of Justice to broaden its inquiry into the Chicago Police Department to include the fire department, citing perceived unfairness in hiring and disciplinary practices. The African-American Firefighters & Paramedics League of Chicago also demanded Mayor Rahm Emanuel remove Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago, alleging that Santiago has neglected to adequately address claims of unjust disciplinary actions and demotions against minority firefighters. Gregory Boggs, the league's president and a lieutenant EMT, expressed during a press conference that African-Americans are being disciplined far more frequently than others. He emphasized the need for the mayor to act swiftly, urging the Justice Department to intervene before new hires are made. Currently, African-Americans constitute approximately 16.5% of the nearly 4,800 Chicago firefighters, while Hispanics make up around 13.5%, leaving the majority—about 64.5%—as white. Larry Langford, a department spokesperson, noted efforts to widen the applicant pool, including lowering the age requirement for the entrance exam to 17 and adopting a pass-fail grading system instead of a numerical scale. Despite these measures, challenges remain. Carmelita Wiley-Earls, a captain, recounted her experience joining the department to serve the public but facing demotion after reporting sexist behavior, highlighting ongoing struggles for equality within the ranks.
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