Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Commissioner Jose Santiago today announced 32 new fire paramedics are graduating from the Fire Academy in a ceremony at Malcom X College.

“This ceremony is a celebration of the new paramedics’ commitment to duty and their dedication to the residents of Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel. “We are all safer because of what they are willing to do on behalf of an entire city.”

This graduation ceremony recognizes new paramedics who will begin their district assignments with CFD Emergency Medical Services this month. Paramedics are licensed by an accredited institution before joining the Fire Department. Fire Academy training includes handling hazardous materials, Department policies and protocols, and coordinating medical services with hospitals, mental health clinicians and dispatchers. These paramedics have now received advanced training and clinical experience to provide pre-hospital healthcare and emergency services to Chicago residents in need.

“These candidates all came to us as licensed paramedics, but now after an intense training program they are ready to be CFD paramedics and the latest members of the fire service family,” said Fire Commissioner Santiago. “They are ready to live up to our motto, ‘we’re there when you need us.’”

Today’s graduating class of paramedics include six Chicago Public Schools students.

Last August, Mayor Emanuel recognized 45 new fire paramedic candidates during a graduation ceremony in Hermann Hall at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

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