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 inspiring journey of Jose Santiago, a man who defied the odds and now leads one of the city’s most critical departments.
Santiago, the only son of a working-class single mother, grew up in Humboldt Park, where gang violence was rampant. At 17, he dropped out of Tuley High School to join the Marines, hoping to escape the dangerous environment that had claimed so many of his friends. “A bunch of my friends from school were all dead or dying,†he recalled. “If you knew Humboldt Park, you’d better get out of that neighborhood or you’re gonna become a statistic.â€
Now 56, Santiago has risen to the position of Chicago’s fire commissioner, earning a salary of $202,728 per year under Mayor Rahm Emanuel. His path to leadership wasn’t easy. After returning to Chicago in 1975, he took the firefighters’ entrance exam, which at the time focused heavily on physical fitness. As a Marine reserve with excellent conditioning, he ranked No. 10 on the hiring list and was hired in September 1979. Just two days into the job, he made his first rescue.
However, his early career was marked by a major challenge: a 23-day strike by firefighters protesting a new staffing policy. Santiago, then a rookie, refused to cross the picket line. Instead, he and his colleagues from Engine No. 76 monitored the fire radio and responded to emergencies in their district using personal cars. “We would jump in our 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 proper gear — some of us were in jeans and gym shoes.â€
Despite the lack of resources, they prioritized saving lives. “We weren’t going to let someone die in our neighborhood because of the strike,†Santiago explained. His commitment to duty and community became a defining trait of his career.
Today, as fire commissioner, Santiago is seen as a pragmatic leader who may be willing to support budget cuts. But his experience and dedication suggest he won’t compromise safety for efficiency. “We’re about to take this department into the 21st Century,†he said. “How can technology help us run better? How can we make it run efficiently before we even think about cutting?â€
He also emphasized the need for reform, but stressed that any changes must be built on a foundation of safety. “Everything will be done with this big umbrella of safety over it,†he added.
Read the complete article **HERE**.
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