Denis McGuire, Jr. came across an article in the *Chicago News Cooperative* that raised concerns about the city’s decision to keep fire department staffing levels at five firefighters per rig. The piece examined how other major U.S. cities have reduced their crews to four members and questioned whether Chicago should follow suit. While acknowledging a significant drop in fire-related deaths over the years, the article also pointed out that the overall number of fires has decreased, suggesting that the current staffing might be more than sufficient.
Here are some key excerpts from the article:
In 1976, when Robert Hoff first joined the Chicago Fire Department, 156 people died in fires throughout the city. By 2010, when Hoff became the department’s commissioner, that number had dropped to just 27. At the same time, the number of fires the department responded to has also fallen sharply in recent decades. However, staffing levels have remained largely unchanged, even as mayors in cities like New York and Los Angeles have been cutting back on fire protection budgets due to economic pressures.
A survey conducted by the Chicago News Cooperative of the country’s 10 largest cities found that Chicago ranks among the top in terms of resources dedicated to its fire department. With one firefighter for every 637 residents, the city has more firefighters per capita than all other large U.S. cities except Houston. Additionally, with a coverage area of about 230 square miles and over 90 firehouses, Chicago’s fire department is ranked third in firehouse density among the nation's largest cities, behind only New York and Philadelphia.
“Decreasing the number of firefighters or firehouses isn’t justified by the decline in fire deaths and fires,†said Larry Langford, a spokesperson for the Chicago Fire Department. He explained that having enough personnel allows firefighters to conduct searches while simultaneously controlling flames and preventing them from spreading to neighboring buildings.
The drop in fire fatalities across Chicago mirrors a national trend driven by factors such as sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, and improved fire alarms. According to city data, the number of structure fires fell from nearly 5,700 in 1996 to under 2,500 in 2008. However, during this same period, the number of medical calls to the fire department increased significantly.
Langford emphasized that Chicago’s unique urban layout—characterized by high-rise apartment buildings, multi-story public schools, and nursing homes—requires larger firefighting crews. Even in residential areas like the bungalow belt, where homes are often closely packed, he argued that more firefighters are needed than the minimum standard.
He cited studies showing that four-person crews are only 65% as efficient as five-member teams. “That efficiency gap can mean minutes saved, which translates into lives and property being protected,†Langford said.
For more details, you can read the full article and access the supporting data [here].
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