Excerpts from ABC7chicago.com:

The Chicago Fire Department celebrated new paramedics at a graduation last week, but some officials inside the department say it’s not enough.

Matt Clohessy is a Paramedic in Charge for Ambulance 10 on Chicago’s West Side. He said he and other PICs are often asked to work on their days off.

“We need more ambulances. We need more help out there,” Clohessy said. “Although we have great jobs, we are super lucky to work here… some days in the summer I’ll have 37-39 runs under my belt by the time it’s time to go home.”=

The city’s firefighters and paramedics have worked for three years without a new contract. While those discussions are ongoing, union officials are urging for more pay for paramedics to take on supervisory roles. They are also simply asking for more paramedics.

The city, which negotiates the firefighters contract, has not responded to ABC7’s request for a comment.

Firefighters plan to make their appeal for help more public at a march on Michigan Avenue during the NASCAR Street Race July 6.

thanks Rob

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