Excerpts from the ChicagoSunTimes.com:
A new report from the Inspector General suggests that the Chicago Fire Department could save at least $1.2 million annually by shifting 34 non-emergency roles to civilian staff, according to Joe Ferguson. These positions, which include administrative and logistical tasks, do not involve direct firefighting or emergency medical services.
This recommendation follows a similar push three years ago for the police department, where Ferguson suggested civilianizing certain roles to save up to $16.6 million and free up more officers for street duty. Now, he’s applying the same strategy to the fire department, which has an annual budget of over $576 million.
After reviewing the responsibilities of 555 uniformed firefighters and paramedics, Ferguson identified 34 roles that could be filled by civilians. One position, the commissary liaison, would be eliminated entirely. The move is expected to cut overtime costs, which have exceeded $40 million in recent years, and improve response times and public safety outcomes.
Interestingly, two of the targeted roles were actually used for mail delivery, even though this wasn’t clearly outlined in job descriptions. Other roles involved administrative tasks like ensuring scheduling meets staffing requirements set by the firefighters’ union contract.
The fire department has agreed to implement the recommendations for 32 out of the 35 positions. Commissioner Jose Santiago also committed to conducting a full review of all roles, tracking temporary assignments, and updating job descriptions to match actual duties.
Ferguson noted that other cities, like New York and Philadelphia, already use civilians for fire inspector roles, while Chicago still relies on uniformed personnel. He believes a regular review of positions could lead to even greater savings—provided the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 agrees to the changes.
However, the union has raised concerns. They argue that some of the roles being considered for civilianization are essential and protected under their current contract. A recent attempt by the department to transition two mail delivery roles to civilians led to a formal grievance from the union, which claims it was done without proper negotiation.
Tom Ryan, president of Local 2, stated that these positions are “essential to the efficient functioning†of the department and must be addressed through collective bargaining. He emphasized that any changes should be discussed with the union, not imposed unilaterally.
In addition to cost-saving measures, the audit also revealed that the fire department provided at least 13 reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act without proper approval from the city’s disability officer. This lack of oversight could affect operational efficiency, as some firefighters and paramedics were temporarily removed from active service due to these accommodations.
Ferguson urged the department to establish a systematic process for managing such requests in compliance with city policy. His findings were shared with city officials in a letter, highlighting the need for better transparency and accountability.
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