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(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago’s Fire Department Training Academy has been shut down because of multiple cases of coronavirus, officials said.
This is the training academy on DeKoven, the site was once the home of Mrs. O’Leary and her legendary cow.
Fire Department Spokesman Larry Langford says a typical class has about 100 trainees and up to 15 instructors. He tells WBBM Newsradio no one has been hospitalized from the virus that causes COVID-19.
The building is being cleaned, and work areas, vehicles and equipment are also being sanitized, Langford said.
A source says the training academy is expected to be shut down at least two weeks.
Trainees are studying remotely. The fire department says their graduation will be delayed a couple of weeks.
Langford released the following statement:
“To prevent the spread of COVID-19 in all facilities, the Department continues to work with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CPDH) to ensure social distancing and public health guidelines are strictly enforced and that all individuals abide by them. The current class of recruits will continue their training through remote learning. All individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 will remain in isolation while any close contacts will quarantine. No individuals who have tested positive have required hospitalization, and we will continue to monitor their condition. The Department will provide an update when training resumes in the facility.”
Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 President Jim Tracy told CBS 2 that while safety must come first, it's also important to get classes running as quickly as possible for the good of the community.
Here's the math as Tracy laid it out: It takes six months to complete the academy and 250 firefighters retire annually. In the pandemic, recruits are limited to 100 per class.
Slowing down the funnel of new recruits means “at the end of the day, they’re going to have to rehire people,” Tracy said