Nearly 600 veteran firefighters and paramedics may retire by end of year
October 23, 2012 @ 9:20 AM
The Chicago Fire Department stands to lose nearly 600 graybeards in 2012 — veteran firefighters and paramedics who will max out in their pensions and retire — paving the way for more diverse replacements, but a continued surge in overtime, a top mayoral aide said Monday. Testifying at City Council budget hearings, Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago disclosed the impending wave of retirements as he defended a proposed, $504.9 million Fire Department budget that includes a 50 percent increase in overtime spending — from $13.5 million this year to $20 million in 2013.
