NBC5 Chicago has published an article discussing how Chicago fire companies are being deployed to help ensure the safe passage of students this fall, as the city closes numerous school facilities.
As the debate continues over ensuring the safety of Chicago’s elementary school children, who are being relocated due to school closures, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration has quietly assigned firefighters to take on security roles—roles many argue they are not trained for.
From the moment the city announced the closure of dozens of schools, parents raised concerns about their children crossing dangerous gang territories to reach new schools. The mayor and Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy emphasized “safe passage†routes, which are meant to provide added protection and are staffed by police and school security teams. However, NBC5 Investigates has discovered that firefighters have also been ordered to join these efforts starting on August 26, the first day of school, and will remain involved for the first three weeks of the term.
Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago sent a memo to all firehouses on May 5, stating that during specific hours, every fire company would be stationed on the safe passage routes to provide a visible presence for students traveling to and from school. He emphasized that this was a critical role in offering reassurance to children and acting as positive ambassadors for the community.
Despite the official stance, some firefighters have expressed concerns about taking on responsibilities that go beyond their training. Firefighters are not armed and have not undergone law enforcement training. Tom Ryan, a union leader, said his members would follow orders but stressed that they are not police officers. "If there's a violent situation, we're not trained or equipped to handle it," he said.
Santiago clarified that the fire department is not being asked to stop crime, but rather to serve as a visible, reassuring presence. If trouble arises, he said, firefighters should contact the police. However, the police union wasn’t as cautious. Fraternal Order of Police president Michael Shields criticized the move, suggesting it revealed a lack of police officers on the streets.
Police spokesman Adam Collins denied that the deployment of firefighters was due to understaffing, stating that the mayor has asked all agencies to support the Safe Passage initiative. He also noted that police have never been the primary staff for these routes, which are typically managed by CPS Safe Passage workers.
Ryan tried to frame the situation positively, saying firefighters are always ready to assist when needed. “When people can’t think of anyone else to call, they call the fire department,†he said.
The full article can be found HERE.
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