Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday pledged to the Chicago Fire Department's 127 graduate firefighters and paramedics that he is committed to investing in their departments, which he said is an integral part of his mission to invest in all Chicago neighborhoods.
In his first graduation ceremony as mayor, Johnson told graduates that leaders in “my administration are also here to support you and elevate you in your ministry.”
“I am committed to investing in our community. I'm committed to investing in the work you do as a key part of that job, including investing in every environment, but also giving you the tools you need and the resources you need to do your job, committed to that investment,” said Johnson.
Johnson used more measured language Monday at the Arie Crown Theater in McCormick Place than he did a week earlier, when he defended Chicago's reputation during a police officer's graduation ceremony, saying: “If you don't live in the city of Chicago, you don't live in Chicago.” have the right to speak of the city of Chicago.”
Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt speaks during the CFD firefighters, EMTs and paramedic graduation ceremony Monday at the Arie Crown Theatre.
Monday's ceremony combined two graduation classes of firefighters-EMTs and firefighter paramedics.
Among the 108 EMTs, 10 were black and 27 were Hispanic, according to the CFD. Six of them are women. Seventeen have experience as police officers, and six are veterans.
Nineteen graduates are firefighters. The class included two women, two blacks and one Hispanic. One of them had worked as a police officer.
Johnson oversees a fire department reeling from two deaths in the past year. Johnson will also need to work with the firefighters' union, which has gone without a contract since 2021, and the new union president, Pat Cleary, who has promised to be more aggressive with city leadership.
At Monday's ceremony, Johnson said the graduates “are here out of deep love and dedication to the city of Chicago and the environment that raised you.”
“You are here because you are equipped with a healing touch, empathy, compassion and courage,” he said. “That's what it takes to be part of a vital public service. I am humbled to be in a room filled with people who have the resilience to help the people of Chicago in their darkest hour.
“The role you take on will help my administration build a better, stronger, and safer Chicago,” Johnson said.
The mayor also appealed to departmental members to take care of themselves and one another.
Johnson said the services of CFD members were needed “to continue to ensure that the city of Chicago truly remains the greatest city in the world,” Johnson said.
CFD Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt thanked Johnson for supporting the department.
“He has been with us every step of the way, through our tragedy and loss, and reached out to us, in case you didn't know,” Nance-Holt told the graduates.
Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke during Chicago firefighters, EMTs and paramedics graduation ceremonies Monday at the Arie Crown Theatre.
Candidates salute during Chicago firefighter, EMT and paramedic graduation ceremonies Monday at the Arie Crown Theatre.
Candidates attended the graduation ceremony for Chicago firefighters, EMTs and paramedics on Monday at the Arie Crown Theatre.