Excerpts from news.wttw.com:
“The Black Fire Brigade is the first of its kind in this country,” said co-founder Quention Curtis, a 32-year veteran of the Fire Department. “It was built around getting young people off the street away from gun violence, and things of that nature, and so our motto became: ‘If you teach a kid to save a life they’ll be less likely to take a life.’”
The Chicago-based nonprofit is also working to increase the ranks of African American firefighters, EMTs and paramedics. The Chicago Fire Department has long been overwhelmingly white – and has paid out millions in racial discrimination lawsuits. Today the force is still just 17% black and 16% Hispanic.
All of the students in the program are between the ages of 18 and 30. They get their primary EMT training at area schools or ambulance companies, but the Black Fire Brigade helps them every step of the way, with tuition for those programs if needed, additional training like the gunshot scenario we described, test prep, and job placement. Most EMT students plan to become paramedics and firefighters, and the Black Fire Brigade offers similar support and training for those careers.
The Black Fire Brigade started in June 2018 and in the first 18 months put more than 250 people through the program, including 60 single moms and three homeless students. They are 100% volunteer run and supported by donations.
#1 by Chuck on March 3, 2020 - 9:40 AM
Curtis and I were part of a Chicago Fire Department Explorer Post run by a fireman at Truck 5 in the early 1980’s. We didn’t have the clout that the 3rd District Post had but we could throw ladders and pull hose better than they could. And three of us got on the job – 1 now a Captain, Curtis a Lieutenant and I was a PIC in EMS.
#2 by John Antkowski on March 1, 2020 - 5:18 PM
I love the idea of bringing the fire service to inner city kids. There are so many smart kids who don’t have the connections to get into the trade schools. I started my career working for a private ambulance company. The training is awesome and the life building skills are life changing. I didn’t make a ton of money but I met a lot of different people and I enjoyed every minute of the job. I would love to see someone start something up like that in Milwaukee. Nice job!!
#3 by Localguy on February 29, 2020 - 11:38 AM
I don’t know anything about this organization other than what I just read. Maybe they do open their doors to anyone wanting their help. If that’s the case, AWESOME. Keep up the good work. This doesn’t read that way tho. If someone knows more about how this group works please share.
#4 by Localguy on February 29, 2020 - 11:35 AM
It would be worth supporting if it were open to EVERYONE. You can’t force people to do something they don’t want to do. Why are the percentages of black candidates lower than white? Every test I took there were MAYBE a dozen African Americans testing. Again can’t force ppl to take a test if they don’t want to. So many cities are all about recruiting minorities, why does minority mean African American?