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CFD overtime drives push for new exam (more)
An article in the Chicago Sun-Times recently highlighted the escalating overtime expenses faced by the city's fire department. During a heated session at the City Council budget hearings, Alderman Scott Waguespack grilled Chicago Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago regarding the department's rising overtime costs.
The Chicago Fire Department is expected to spend a staggering $43 million on overtime this year, more than double the originally authorized amount. This increase is primarily due to legal challenges related to past discrimination lawsuits that hindered the department's ability to hire new firefighters. According to Santiago, these legal hurdles have now been resolved, and the department plans to address staffing shortages starting November 18th with a new batch of 150 recruits entering the academy. He emphasized that subsequent classes of 150 trainees will follow as soon as the current classes reach the halfway mark, aiming to fill existing vacancies and accommodate future retirements.
Commissioner Santiago forecasted that 245 firefighters will retire in 2013. The Fire Department's full complement, including both uniformed and civilian personnel, stands at around 5,100 members. However, the current workforce comprises only 4,700 employees.
Alderman Waguespack expressed concern over the lack of pushback from the Fire Department concerning the minimum staffing requirements that sparked the infamous 1980 firefighters' strike. The firefighters' contract stipulates that each piece of firefighting equipment must be manned by at least five members. In ongoing contract negotiations, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proposed reducing the staffing levels of double houses—units that combine both engines and trucks—from ten firefighters to nine. This proposal has been met with strong resistance from the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2.
During questioning, Waguespack inquired whether the potential for increased overtime had been discussed during consultations with the Law Department. First Deputy Fire Commissioner Charles Stewart admitted that no such calculations were undertaken. Santiago, however, reiterated that the department had repeatedly raised concerns about the staffing shortage during meetings with the Law Department and the Office of Budget and Management.
The city has previously spent nearly $2 million, along with additional legal fees, to settle disputes involving discriminatory practices against female applicants for firefighter positions. Similarly, last year, Chicago resorted to borrowing $78.4 million to compensate approximately 6,000 African-American candidates who were unfairly excluded from the 1995 entrance exam.
Beyond staffing issues, the Fire Department also faces challenges with outdated equipment. Ideally, fire engines and ladder trucks should last six years, yet Chicago’s average age exceeds 11 years for both. Ambulances, meant to last 2.5 years, currently average 6.2 years of service. Santiago announced plans to acquire 25 new ambulances this year and refurbish four others.
Despite these efforts, response times remain a point of contention. While the Fire Department claims compliance with state regulations, achieving an average response time of 3 minutes and 35 seconds for fires and 5 minutes and 5 seconds for medical emergencies, Inspector General Joe Ferguson's report suggests non-compliance with national standards. This discrepancy drew criticism from Alderman Anthony Beale, who urged Santiago to collaborate with the Inspector General to ensure equitable response times across all wards.
In closing, Santiago assured the council that the Fire Department remains committed to improving services, emphasizing the importance of swift action in emergency situations where every second counts.
Thanks, Dan.