Success in Action: Speaker Welch Tours the Black Fire Brigade to See Firsthand Impact on Workforce Development

Success in Action: Speaker Welch Tours the Black Fire Brigade to See Firsthand Impact on Workforce Development

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Black Fire Brigade was honored to welcome Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch, the first African American Speaker in state history, for a tour of its training center on Chicago’s South Side on Friday, September 5, 2025. Speaker Welch was joined by several of his colleagues, including State Rep. LaShawn K. Ford, State Rep. Kimberly du Buclet, State Rep. Justin Slaughter, State Rep. Michael Crawford, State Rep. Lisa J. Davis, and Ald. Derrick G. Curtis.

The visit highlighted the transformative work the Black Fire Brigade has done over the past seven years, training and employing African American youth in careers as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and firefighters. Today, more than 1,100 program graduates are proudly serving as first responders across Chicago, the state of Illinois, and across the United States.

The Speaker and his colleagues were given a personal, up-close look at the program’s impact, beginning with a greeting by candidates in the program. Next a tour of the training classrooms where candidates prepare weekly with instruction from program alumni now working in the field. Guests also experienced demonstrations using state-of-the-art simulation equipment that replicates real-life emergencies, providing hands-on preparation for trainees.

The special guests also learned about the Brigade’s community training programs, which offer free classes in life-saving techniques such as CPR and “Stop the Bleed” equipping everyday citizens with skills that can stabilize injuries and save lives until medical professionals arrive. Throughout the visit, lawmakers met directly with program participants, which many of whom are single parents, youth raising siblings, or individuals overcoming homelessness underscoring how the program provides both career pathways and stability for families.

Black Fire Brigade President Lt. Quentin Curtis shared the historic significance of the Brigade’s headquarters, noting its landmark status and connection to the legacy of Black first responders.

“Not only were the first firefighters Black, so were the first EMTs in America,” Curtis said. “We honor this history by making sure every candidate who walks through our doors sees it on our walls and carries it forward.”

The tour concluded with a special moment as Speaker Welch climbed aboard a fire truck and was ceremonially pinned by Lt. Curtis, symbolically becoming an official honorary member of the Black Fire Brigade family.

In his remarks to program participants, Speaker Welch emphasized the importance of discipline, commitment, and data-driven success.

“When we are successful, that gives us the evidence and data to go back and say, let’s do more for our communities,” Welch said. “I am just so thankful for each and every one of you. I am proud of what you are doing. It takes commitment, it takes discipline. My motto is simple: winners do the work and the Black Fire Brigade is doing the work.”

The visit reaffirmed the Black Fire Brigade’s vital role in not only filling critical workforce needs for EMTs and firefighters but also providing meaningful, well-paying career opportunities for young people. By addressing both public safety and economic empowerment, the program continues to benefit Chicago, the surrounding communities, and the state of Illinois as a whole.

Black Fire Brigade is a not for profit organization that recruits, trains, and provides employment opportunities to African-American youngsters to become medical technicians and firefighters.

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