Op-ed: Who will answer the call from first responders who always answer the call?
Chicago Fire Department firefighters and Chicago police officers respond to an electrical fire on Harrison Street near LaSalle Street on May 14, 2020. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
Make no mistake, Chicago’s first responders and many other essential workers across our country are under siege. Hyperbole? I assure you it is not. And some of the individuals leading this attack are the ones who routinely pay lip service to working families in their political campaigns and hold themselves out as champions of first responders’ mental health and collective bargaining rights.
For example, Mayor Lori Lightfoot seems gleeful in her abuse of the collective bargaining rights of Chicago’s police officers, firefighters and paramedics. In dictatorial style, she has simply refused to bargain in good faith. An example of which is her arbitrary creation of an oxymoronic “nondisciplinary no-pay” status that essentially functions as a suspension by keeping able-bodied first responders home without pay.
Does anyone believe this is in the best interest of the citizens our mayor is also sworn to serve?
Police officers, firefighters and other first responders are extremely good at mitigating risk. It has become second nature to many of us, and we often use this skill in our personal lives. We are also intimately aware of the inherent risks that life’s routine activities present and understand that risk cannot be entirely eliminated in our lives. Doing so would paralyze our society with fear, and, hopefully, no one wants that.
Since the inception of this horrible pandemic, first responders have been on the front line of this fight doing what they do best.
We performed our tasks dutifully, courageously and honorably, in the finest traditions of our respective organizations, despite our limited knowledge and experience with this unique threat. This is what we do. We restore order to chaotic situations.
Throughout this process, many first responders have contracted COVID-19 and have subsequently recovered, giving them natural immunity, while others have decided not to receive the vaccine based upon strongly held personal beliefs. I believe these individuals, as well as every other citizen of the state of Illinois, has the fundamental right to refuse this and any other medical intervention that may be mandated. This is based, in part, upon the plain language of the protections provided in Illinois law.
So, I ask: Who will answer our call?
Six of Chicago’s 50 aldermen have exhibited courage and taken a firm stance, while two others have voiced their concerns publicly. But where are the others?
Will the remaining 42 aldermen offer a public opinion on the potentially disastrous effect of Lightfoot’s heavy-handed negotiating style? City Council members: We’re there when you need us. Will you be there for us?
Will members of the Illinois General Assembly preserve and guarantee our collective bargaining rights?
Senators and representatives: We’re there when you need us. Will you be there for us?
Citizens of Chicago: We’re there when you need us. Will you be there for us?
As first responders, we now find ourselves in the unique position of having to declare our own emergency. Will you have the courage to answer our call?
Supporters of Chicago’s first responders: We need you now more than ever. Will you be there for us?
Please answer our call. Please contact your elected officials to voice your support for the rights of Chicago’s first responders.
We will always be there for you!
Capt. Robert Tebbens is a fourth-generation Chicago firefighter and the political and legislative director of the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2.