Excerpts from the ChicagoSunTimes.com:
A recent report from the Inspector General, Joe Ferguson, suggests that the Chicago Fire Department could save at least $1.2 million annually by transitioning 34 non-emergency roles to civilian staff. These positions, which include administrative and clerical tasks, are not directly related to firefighting or emergency medical services.
This recommendation follows a similar proposal made three years ago for the police department, where Ferguson urged the city to civilianize certain roles in an effort to save up to $16.6 million per year and increase the number of officers on the streets. Now, he's applying the same strategy to the fire department, which has a budget of over $576 million.
Ferguson’s analysis looked into the responsibilities of 555 uniformed firefighters and paramedics. He found that 34 of those roles could be handled by civilians, including the elimination of one position entirely—the commissary liaison. The move is expected to reduce overtime costs, which have exceeded $40 million in recent years, and improve overall efficiency.
Among the targeted roles were two firefighters who acted as mail carriers, even though their duties weren’t clearly outlined in job descriptions. Others were involved in administrative tasks such as ensuring scheduling compliance with union contracts.
The fire department has agreed to implement the changes for 32 of the 35 positions and will also review all roles, track temporary assignments, and update job descriptions to reflect actual responsibilities. However, the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 has raised concerns about the proposed changes.
Union President Tom Ryan argued that the roles in question are essential and covered under the current contract. “These jobs are staffed by firefighters and paramedics and are critical to the department’s operations,†he said. “They can only be changed through negotiations.â€
In addition to the cost-saving recommendations, 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 raises concerns about how these accommodations are managed and tracked.
Ferguson emphasized the importance of a systematic approach to managing accommodations, stating that removing personnel from operational duties without proper procedures could impact public safety.
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