Chicago Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago

The Chicago Sun-Times recently published a compelling article about Chicago’s new fire commissioner, titled From High School Dropout to the Top of the Fire Department Ladder. The piece highlights the extraordinary journey of Jose Santiago, who has risen from humble beginnings to lead one of the city's most critical departments.

Santiago, the only son of a working-class single mother and a father who was rarely around, dropped out of Tuley High School at 17. Faced with the dangers of Humboldt Park’s gang-ridden streets, he joined the Marines to escape the fate that had claimed so many of his peers. “A bunch of my friends from school were all dead or dying,” he recalls. “It was just a matter of time. If you knew Humboldt Park, you’d better get out or you’re gonna become a statistic.”

Now 56, Santiago is the highest-paid official in the Chicago Fire Department, earning $202,728 annually. He was chosen by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to lead the department, marking a dramatic shift from his past. His story is not just one of personal resilience but also of dedication and leadership under pressure.

After returning to Chicago in 1975, Santiago took the firefighters’ entrance exam, which focused on physical fitness. As a Marine reservist in peak condition, he ranked 10th on the hiring list and was hired in September 1979. Just two days into his new role, he made his first rescue—only to find himself caught in one of the most significant strikes in the department’s history.

In 1979, firefighters went on strike for 23 days over a dispute involving staffing requirements on fire apparatus. Santiago, still a rookie, refused to cross the picket line. Along with his fellow firefighters from Engine No. 76, they monitored the fire radio and responded to emergencies using their own cars. “We would jump in our personal cars, drive to the scene, grab the hose lines from those who crossed the line, and put the fires out,” he said. “We didn’t have the right gear—some of us were in jeans and gym shoes—but we weren’t going to let someone die because of the strike.”

Despite being seen as a moderate figure who may be willing to go along with budget cuts, Santiago is not to be underestimated. He emphasizes modernization and efficiency, saying, “We’re taking this department into the 21st Century. How can technology help us run better? How can we make it run efficiently before we even think about cutting?”

His vision includes reforming the job while maintaining a strong focus on safety. “Everything will be done under the umbrella of safety,” he adds, signaling a commitment to both progress and protection.

Read the complete article HERE.

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