Black Fire Brigade Sends 30 Black Young Adults to EMT School

Student of the Black Fire Bridage are pictured in uniform during a visit to City Hall
Student of the Black Fire Bridage are pictured in uniform during a visit to City Hall

Black Fire Brigade Sends 30 Black Young Adults to EMT School

Thanks to the generosity of donors who support its unique mission, the Black Fire Brigade has tripled the number of black youths it is funding to attend Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) school starting this month.

At the Black Fire Brigade’s grand opening in June, Lieutenant Quention Curtis, the organization’s president and founder, presented a check to send 10 young adults to EMT school. After his subsequent television and radio segments, the brigade’s phone and inbox were flooded with inquiries from young black adults interested in EMT training – and with donors wanting to help. As a result, the Black Fire Brigade is now providing $30,000 for tuition, books, and uniforms so that 30 students can train for certification.

“Our kids can’t be what they don’t see,” Lt. Curtis says. “We’re proud to stand strong on our mission of exposing as many black men and women as possible to public safety careers, and on our promise to remove financial barriers and help them attain highly sought positions in these fields.”

Completion of the EMT certification program is required to obtain an Illinois EMT license, which is transferable nationwide. The training equips these future first-responders to handle situations ranging from heart attacks to car accidents. Students meet two nights a week for 90 days for in-class education and residency ride-a-longs. For those who pass the state exam, the Black Fire Brigade is lining up employment opportunities.

“This is an exceptional opportunity for anyone interested in pursuing a career in EMS or public safety,” Lt. Curtis says. “It’s also an exceptional opportunity to sponsor a future EMT. We already have 45 students on a waiting list for the November 2018 class, and your tax-deductible contribution of $1,000, or any amount, will not only send those students to school, but it will also change their lives for the better, and likely save the lives of many of our other neighbors in our community.”

To donate or learn more about this program, call 312-459-1111 or email EMTSchool@bfireb.com.

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