Chicago Politics

Chicago Firefighter Graduation 6.30.26

Description

Mayor Brandon Johnson attends the Chicago Firefighter Graduation.

Transcript

0:00 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the graduation ceremonies for the Firefighter EMT and Paramedic Classes of the Chicago Fire Department.

2:38 Please stand, if you are able, for the posting of the colors and remain standing for our national anthem, which will be sung by Stephanie Zielinski, and remain standing for the invocation offered by Chicago Fire Department Chaplain Father Ryan Brady.

5:02 Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming

5:35 That our flag was still there Oh, say does that star-spangled banner... A few months ago, I was at a fire in Gage Park,

7:31 and the whole community came out to mourn with the family as they were losing their home to a terrible fire. the brave firefighters and paramedics of the Chicago Fire Department were doing their best to save their home and to save these families' lives. The house, sadly, was a total loss, but everyone was able to get out. Firemen, you see, then brought out what looked like a very soot-covered box. And a woman whose house that was came running with great excitement

8:06 and almost desperation, and I thought, boy, oh boy, this is a box filled with $100 bills or gold bars. But when she flipped open the top, she screeched out, Este Viva! Este Viva! It's alive! He is alive! And with extraordinary excitement and tears running down her face, she pulled out her beloved pet lizard. She kissed him, and she hugged him, and she caressed him, and she turned around and held the lizard up to the whole neighborhood

8:37 that was standing out with them shoulder to shoulder and she screamed out again, Este Viva, he is alive. The excitement that she had in her beloved pet's life being saved is extraordinary. But it's just a fraction of the excitement, the relief, and the gratitude that men and women, brothers and sisters, fellow citizens of the city of Chicago have every single day for the lives saved the mothers and fathers saved, the brothers and sisters, the sons and daughters saved through

9:11 the work, the heroic work, and the selfless work of the Chicago Fire Department. Let us ask God today to call down his blessing upon these brave men and women who are selflessly giving their lives to serve our fellow citizens. May they have strength and courage. May they have that type of heroic heart that God longs for them to have, to create that sense of gratitude and relief in the hearts of their brothers and sisters whom they get to serve in the fine neighborhoods of our city.

9:43 Let today also be a reminder to each and every one of us of our duty, obligation, but also our privilege to pray day in and day out. For these selfless servants of our city, these selfless servants of us all, these brave men and women of the Chicago Fire Department. Brothers and sisters, may God's blessing come down upon you today on your graduation day and every single day of your career and every single day of your lives. Amen.

10:14 Please be seated. Again, welcome to our graduation. Please help me welcome the mistress of ceremony. Gracious enough to join us this morning is WGN News team member, Courtney Spinelli. Thank you so much for the warm introduction. Good morning, everyone.

10:47 And to the graduating class, friends, family members, members of our Chicago Fire Department, elected, and other leaders, it is a great honor to be here this morning with you, celebrating this long-awaited moment. I cannot imagine how proud every single one of you must be of the men and women in this room who will soon take the oath to not only protect and serve our city, but also each other. I, too, feel that sense of pride, even as a stranger to all of you, when I look around. Before we begin, I'll quickly introduce myself.

11:18 I was asked to say a few things, but I'll try and keep it short. My name is Courtney Spinelli. I'm a reporter with WGN News. I've been in the business for just over a decade here in Chicago for just over three and a half years. but the city and the people in it really have a way of making you feel like it's always been home. Many of the people I now have the honor of calling my dear friends will be the men and women on the Chicago Fire Department that you're about to serve alongside. And you know this already, but I've witnessed it firsthand. It truly is a brotherhood.

11:48 Most of my career has been spent with a heavy focus on covering public safety and our first responders, witnessing the heroic actions, it seems like daily. But my deep sense of appreciation comes back to growing up with many close family friends who chose the same profession, and it's a rewarding one at that. While I was fortunate enough, my family never needed help personally from our firefighter EMTs or paramedics. They saved the lives of two family friends who suffered a heart attack and stroke and had the chance to not only watch their children grow up and to witness major life milestones,

12:21 But to get back on the golf course with a bit more of a reason to bogey a hole, though they still get a little bit of flack for it. So all that to say, while I'm sure difficult days will inherently come with being a first responder, just know that the deep sense of appreciation for what you do will last long after you return to the firehouse. And you truly are going to impact more lives than you'll likely ever know. So back to the important stuff, what we came here for today, because you've already waited months for this. It's time to get the program started and to kick us off, I have the pleasure and honor of introducing our first speaker, Mayor Brandon Johnson.

13:01 Thank you for that introduction and good morning, everyone. On behalf of the city of Chicago, I congratulate all of you for reaching this incredible milestone. And most of all, I thank you for answering the call to serve in a role that is essential to the health, well-being and the safety of our city. Today, you join a proud legacy of firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics who bring healing and strength to our city in moments of uncertainty, urgency, and need.

13:36 And you join the city's mission to build safer and thriving communities. I want to acknowledge CFD Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt and the CFD leadership who have helped you reach this milestone. I'm grateful for the alders that are here and, of course, to the family members. Thank you for setting an example and thank you for your dedication to our city. And again, to the families, the friends and loved ones who are celebrating with us today,

14:12 You have stood by our graduates every step of the way, providing them with your love and your support. And again, I thank you. I believe that I speak on behalf of everyone here when I say that we are proud of what our graduated firefighters and paramedics have accomplished so far. And I am confident that you will continue to accomplish great things that make our communities more resilient and, of course, our people safer.

14:46 The work you are stepping into is certainly not easy. It requires your resilience and your commitment, your love, and your hope and belief in humanity. But you are here today because you are ready for this moment. You were called by something greater than yourself to serve and to help others. It's a righteous call. It's a godly call.

15:17 and you have been strengthened by your training and your preparation and the God that we serve. And best of all, you are not alone. You join in a family with the Chicago Fire Department. You show up for everyone every single day. You stand shoulder to shoulder knowing that people are standing alongside of you. But furthermore, my administration is dedicated to continuing our partnership in this mission to build safer communities.

15:56 So I'm grateful of your righteous call. Thank you for answering it. I wish you all the best in this next chapter. We will continue to pray for your protection and safety and success. God bless you. God bless the Chicago Fire Department. And God bless the most amazing city in the world, the city of Chicago. Thank you very much.

16:29 Before I introduce our next speaker, I would like to thank a number of people who are here with us today. And I know that this probably will not even scratch the surface. We have so many people in attendance to witness an incredible moment this morning. And I think all of us can feel that joy in the room and probably a little bit of nervousness. But you've made it. And this is the big day. So an early congratulations, and we'll get to the official congratulations in just a few. As I name the folks that are in the room, I'll just ask you to hold your applause to the end because there is quite a few people.

16:59 So I would like to first thank Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt, Mayor Brannon Johnson, Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Andre. We have several aldermen here in the room with us today, including Alderman Michael Rodriguez, Chris Taliaferro, Felix Cardona, Nicholas Pizzotto, and James Gardner. A couple other names that we would like to just recognize for being here today and for all they do day in and day out is First Deputy Fire Commissioner Brandon Keller, Deputy Fire Commissioner Donald Walker, Deputy Fire Commissioner Cynthia Herring, Deputy Fire Commissioner Jonathan Zantz, Deputy Fire Commissioner Michael Oquendo, Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner James McDonough, Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner Juan Hernandez, Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner John Geese, President of Local 2 Eric Steinmetz,

17:57 Chicago Fire Department chaplain, excuse me, Rabbi Moshe Wolf, and CFD chaplain, Father Ryan Brady. And we have several others as well. Joe Ramos, he is the regional EMS coordinator for the Illinois Department of Public Health, Region 11, and Leslie Stein Spencer, the former Illinois Department of Public Health and Division Chief of EMS and Highway Safety, and the former director of the Chicago Fire Department Medical Administration and Regulatory Compliance Division.

18:29 So thank you all so much for being here today. All right, so it is now my pleasure to introduce to you the great leader of this fine department, Chicago Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holtz. Good morning. Good morning. I would first like to acknowledge Mayor Brandon Johnson for your continued support of the members of the Chicago Fire Department.

19:05 Thank you to the Alderpersons joining us today and to the 100 Club of Illinois Gold Badge Society and the Pipes and Drums for your unwavering support and dedication to this department. To the family, friends, and loved ones gathered here today, thank you. Your encouragement, patience, and sacrifice have helped make this moment possible, and we are honored to celebrate with you. Today is a proud day for the City of Chicago and especially for the Chicago Fire Department as we welcome our newest class of firefighters and paramedics.

19:39 Graduates, you've earned your place here through months of demanding training, long days, difficult challenges, and steadfast determination. You've proven that you have what it takes to answer one of the noblest callings to public service. Today marks the end of your academy training, but it is only the beginning of your journey. As you enter the firehouses and neighborhoods across this great city, remember that you are joining a department built on compassion, courage, and sacrifice.

20:11 For more than 165 years, the Chicago Fire Department has answered the call, often on somebody's worst day. Today, you become part of that proud tradition and inherit the responsibility of carrying it forward. Every emergency you respond to will be different, but the mission remains the same. Protect life, protect property, and serve with integrity. Whether you're extinguishing a fire, providing life-saving medical care, educating a family about fire safety, or simply offering reassurance during a crisis,

20:44 your professionalism and compassion will leave a lasting impact on the people you serve. As you begin your careers, I'd like to leave you with three thoughts. First, never stop learning. Graduation is not the finish line, it's the starting point. Continue to sharpen your skills, seek knowledge, and challenge yourselves to become better every single day. Second, trust your team. This profession is built on teamwork. no one does it alone. The people standing beside you today will become the brothers and sisters

21:18 you celebrate their successes, support through challenges, and stand with you when the stakes are the highest. Look out for one another because no one succeeds alone. And finally, take care of yourselves. This career will challenge you emotionally, mentally, and physically. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness. Protect your health, prioritize your well-being, and remember that taking care of yourself allows you to better care for others, something that we really need to learn to do. To the families and loved ones here today,

21:49 thank you for sharing them with this department. They will serve this city, but they could not have reached this day without your love and your support. At every graduation, I have one favorite tradition. Graduates, please stand. Turn around and give your loved ones a round of applause that they deserve. Okay, now turn around and please be seated. Thank you. To the graduates, when you leave

22:37 the ceremony and report for duty, remember, every call matters. Every call matters. Every patient matters. Every fire matters. Every life you touch matters. Wear your badge with humility. Lead with integrity. Treat every person with dignity and respect. Never forget the trust the people of Chicago placing you every time they dial 911. Today, you become part of something much larger than yourselves, a family united by service, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to this city. Congratulations, class. Welcome to the Chicago Fire Department family. We are proud to

23:12 call you our own. Thank you. Academy Instructors, prepare the class for the oath of office.

24:13 Repeat after me. I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois, the ordinances of the City of Chicago, the Code of Conduct, the rules and regulations, the practices and procedures of the Chicago Fire Department, Thank you very much.

24:45 and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of a member of the fire department. Congratulations.

25:17 Instructors, prepare the class for badge presentation.

25:56 Candidate Firefighter EMT Class of December 2, 2025, Alpha Company. Division Leader Instructors Daniel Pulaski and Colette Hudicik. Group 1, Instructor Brian Woznicke, Vincent Rangel, Luis Salas, Kevin Sinatra,

27:13 Ryan Sindelar, James Solis, John Spatz, William Torres, Michael Wilson, Group 2 Instructor Brandon Dunn, Jack McLaughlin, Renard Morgan, Omar Orozco, Christopher Sandoval.

29:44 Seamus Shields, Brian Timrick, Group 3 Instructor, Jeremy Hill, Michael Brower, Candice Gaskin, Terrence Hood, Thomas Jenke, Stephen Corral, Roger Romero, Brittany Schmidt, Bravo Company, Division Leader Instructor, Kenneth Cardenas, Group 4 Instructor, Alan Dudek,

32:36 Ismael Adorno Matthew Alessia

33:06 Andrew Belcastro Casey Ferrantella

33:39 Alexander Gorley Robert Ochoa

34:10 Jasmine Watson Group 5, Instructor Anthony Richko

34:43 Thomas Kuhn, Jacob Evanish, Keegan Fogarty, Matthew Hensler, Kyle Baceno, Lee Phan, Jason Torres,

36:28 Group 6 Instructor Robert Corey, Kaylon Bardney, Thomas Devine, Ronald O'Toole, Rogelio Peña,

37:42 Arturo Sanchez Nicholas Sintos

38:13 Justin Steinbruner Candidate Fire Paramedic Class of April 1, 2026, Alpha Company Instructor Dominic Yale

38:43 Diego Ayala Dakota Burnett

39:15 Michael Cole, Jr. Riley Curren, Finian Defuniak, Anthony De La Paz, Zahaya Edwards-Clay, Samantha Ferrari,

40:51 Shayna McNamara, Brian Peterson, Jaden Velez, Bravo Company Instructor Vincent Zitnin, Elsie Alcantar,

42:05 Deja Brown Steven Gutierrez Patrick Martin

42:52 Orlando Martinez Elizabeth Moore

43:25 Nicholas Pignato Kendall Turo Stephan Williams

44:12 Nicholas Wood Charlie Crumpy Company Instructor Francisco Jackson, Monica Cave, Omar Serna, Dajon Fuller,

45:28 Nicholas Martinet, Jonathan Mina, Amina Nabu, Jacqueline Perez, Raven Powell, Nicholas White,

46:43 Delta Company Instructor John Ramsey, Nonivia Oko, Axel Aguilar, Thomas Doyle, Clara Fix, Christopher Guevara, Adrian Howard, Wesley Mazir, Maxwell Salus.

49:18 Robin Sandhu, Shamar Shelton, Rain Thorne.

50:28 Mayor, Alderpersons, Commissioner, all dignitaries, it is my pleasure to present to you the Candidate Fire Paramedic Class of April 1, 2026. First, I would like to recognize all of the administrative services and command staff because none of this works without their support. First Deputy Fire Commissioner Keller, Deputy Fire Commissioner Zainz, District Chief Satriano, Commander DiGiulio, Course Coordinator Barth, and all of the academy instructors and staff,

50:59 thank you all for making this happen. We present three awards for each candidate fire paramedic class. The first award is for academic achievement. This award goes to the candidate who finished the program with the highest grades. This group has passed many tests from general orders, streets, policy and procedure, and yes, even the barbell test. Aside from good grades, this candidate has shown leadership skills, perseverance,

51:30 and always presented with a positive attitude, even when the situation could have dictated otherwise. We applaud you for this outstanding accomplishment and look forward to seeing what you can do moving on in the Chicago Fire Department. Congratulations to Candidate Fire Paramedic Finian Dufuniak.

52:07 This next award goes for physical fitness. This job requires a level of physical fitness that many other jobs do not. Over the past 12 weeks, I have watched this entire class come together for physical training to prepare them for the rigors of working and operations on the Chicago Fire Department. This is not easy training, and I have watched them all get taken places they have not been and either do it all together or not at all. Through all of that, one candidate stood out from all the others.

52:38 Congratulations to candidate fire paramedic Wesley Mazir. PIC Dwayne Redmond was a 26-year EMS member of the Chicago Fire Department. On June 2, 2016, Dwayne passed away from sudden cardiac arrest.

53:14 Throughout his career, Dwayne exemplified leadership, compassion, integrity, brotherhood, and exceptional patient care to the citizens and visitors of the city of Chicago. Dwayne was admired and respected by his peers and his co-workers alike. His attitude and work ethic inspired all of those who knew him. The Dwayne Redman Award is special because it is presented to the candidate fire paramedic who was selected by his or her peers who represents all of these attributes

53:45 and is a true representation of the honor and pride of the Chicago Fire Department. Congratulations to candidate fire paramedic Nicholas Wood. I would like to bring up District Chief Jason Satriano for the Fire Class Awards.

54:20 Over 75% of the calls the Chicago Fire Department goes on every day are EMS related. Most of the amazing things firefighters and paramedics do on a daily basis are not reported in the news. The EMT training the candidates receive while in the academy is second to none. It prepares them to make a difference in someone's life their very first day in the field. This award goes to the candidate who achieved academic excellence during emergency medical technician training. The winner of the EMS Academic Award is Kevin Sinatra.

55:09 Firefighting is a physically demanding job. A firefighter is required to have a strong body and a strong mind. Firefighter Drew Price knew this all too well. Our instructors pushed the candidates past what they thought were their limits. This award honors the strength, heart, and unwavering dedication Drew carried with him throughout his career. Drew lost his life in the line of duty on November 13, 2023. But his spirit continues to move through the department he loved. His commitment to physical fitness wasn't just about staying prepared.

55:43 It was about joy, camaraderie, and showing up with gratitude. Every year the physical fitness run, Drew was the highlight of the event, proudly showing off whatever costume he chose to wear that year, turning hard work into something fun and memorable for everyone around him. This award reflects not only the physical excellence, but the way Drew lived, fully, gratefully, and with mahalo in his heart. To win this award, the candidates must complete a grueling physical fitness challenge.

56:14 The challenge has eight stations requiring them to perform job-related skills, all while being timed. The winner of the Drew Price Physical Fitness Award is Seamus Shields.

56:44 Jermaine Pelt was a proud Southside firefighter and lifelong scholar. Jermaine earned multiple degrees, including a master's in public safety administration, and brought that same passion for learning into the classroom as an instructor at the Quinn Fire Academy. He accomplished so much, yet remained humble and down to earth. At 3.30 a.m. on April 24, 2023, Engine 75 responded to a house fire. As fire conditions worsened, firefighters were ordered out of the structure.

57:16 As the member on the nozzle, Jermaine knew he had to protect his exiting sisters and brothers with the water stream. When his officer noticed Jermaine was no longer beside him, a mayday was called. Firefighter Pelt was quickly removed, but had succumbed to his injuries. The candidates start firefighter training during their final three months of the academy. Over that time, they take several tests to prepare them for the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Basic Operations Firefighter Exam. By the time they leave the academy, they will have answered over 1,500 questions.

57:49 Countless hours of studying, tired from a hard day's training, is required by all members. This award recognizes superior mastery of the fire ground knowledge, tactics, safety, and core principles of the firefighting curriculum. The winner of the Jermaine Pelt Firefighter Academic Award is Jack McLaughlin.

58:30 Eugene Blackman loved life. His co-worker said, wherever Gene went, that was a happy place. Gene brought his passion to the Quinn Fire Academy when he became an instructor in 1996. From there, Gene transferred to Squad 5. On May 19, 1998, Gene and his company responded to the Little Calumet River for a person in the water. Upon arrival, they discovered two people were seen going into the river but had gone missing. Gene was one of four divers to enter the Blackwaters to search for the missing victims.

59:04 That night, Gene lost his life. Because of Gene's passion for the job and his selfless leadership, the department created an award in his honor. The significance of this award is that it's voted on by their classmates for the candidate who most exemplifies those qualities. The winner of the Eugene Blackman Award is candidate firefighter Ronald O'Toole.

59:44 Throughout the six months of candidate training, candidates are in the fire academy. They are tested both physically and mentally. They are given exams and put through rigorous workouts on a daily basis. The late Chief John Eversol once said, Our department takes 2,000 calls every day. Do you know how many the public expects perfection on? All 2,000. Nobody calls the fire department and says, Send me four average, out-of-shape firefighters in a pickup truck. In three minutes, they want five brain surgeon decathlon champions

1:00:14 to come and solve all their problems. Our top overall award winner is a candidate that has maintained the highest level of fitness and academic excellence throughout the academy. The award for outstanding candidate goes to candidate firefighter Vincent Rangel.

1:01:00 Thank you both for that special awards presentation, and I do want to thank Assistant Deputy Chief Paramedic of EMS Training, Chief Jacob Dickman, who I didn't have an opportunity to introduce before that, But just so incredible to be able to recognize all of you for all of your accomplishments, not only during your time in the academy, but those who also went above and beyond. Truly, it has been such an honor to serve as emcee for today's graduation ceremony. As you embark on this next chapter, may you all stay safe. And when the bells sound, watch out for each other, as I know you will the community.

1:01:34 God bless you all. And thank you for your selfless decision to become the future of our city's fire department. Congratulations to all of you and to all of your families. We will now prepare to dismiss this new class as Fire Department Chaplain Rabbi Moshe Wolf gives today's benediction. Thank you all for coming and congratulations. Congratulations to the graduates. The message of the day is hard work pays off.

1:02:07 And before we close, what I'd like to do is if all the instructors can stand for a quick round of applause. Ladies and gentlemen, please, let's give them a round of applause.

1:02:37 The graduates appreciate you, the department appreciates you, and our city appreciates you. God bless you. Let us pray. Dear God, as we close this graduation ceremony, we pray in words of our tradition. May God bless you and keep you. May he shine his countenance upon and be gracious to you. May he bless you with peace and always keep you in his loving care. Dear God, we say a special prayer of our brothers and sisters working the streets presently, all the members of the Chicago Fire Department, all the members of the Chicago Police Department,

1:03:09 please, Lord, bring them home safely to their loved ones at the end of their duty, and let us say amen. Now the moment these candidates have been waiting for. Instructors, you may now dismiss the Firefighter EM Class of December 2, 2025, and Fire Paramedic Class of April 1, 2026.

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