Beverly Resident Tapped for CFD's No. 2 Job

Richard C. Ford II | Chicago Fire Department

CHICAGO, IL -- A veteran firefighter has been tapped for the No. 2 job in the Chicago Fire Department.

Beverly resident Richard C. Ford II will take over the position when the First Deputy Fire Commissioner Charles Stewart retires.

Ford currently helms the CFD’s Fire Prevention Bureau. A native of Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood, Ford began his career with the fire department over 30 years ago. In that time, he has served as Safety Officer, Rail Liaison for the City of Chicago, and Assistant Director of Training, the CFD said in a news release.

One of Ford’s biggest achievements is implementing the food truck safety program working with the National Fire Protection Association to protect consumers, vendors and employees.

As First Deputy Commissioner, he will be the second-highest ranking official in the Department, handling day-to-day operations and assisting with policy and recruitment. In addition, he will assist with recruitment issues amid the anticipated hiring of hundreds of new recruits who recently passed the department’s exam.

Last month, a group of black firefighters asked the U.S. Department of Justice to expand their investigation into the Chicago Police Department to also include the Chicago Fire Department, NBC Chicago 5 reported.

African American Firefighters and Paramedics League of Chicago charged that blacks in the department face stricter discipline. They also claimed that CFD Commissioner Jose Santiago failed to promote blacks to high ranking positions despite a 2011 federal court order.

The fire department employs 4,800. In numbers CFD provided to the Chicago Tribune, one African American and one Hispanic are employed to every four whites.

Taking Ford’s place as head of the Fire Prevention Bureau will be Arriel Gray Jr., currently the second-in-command. The bureau is responsible for fire inspections and enforcement of fire and safety codes of Chicago.

“The elevation of both Richard Ford and Arriel Gray not only maintains the diversity of our department, but continues my goal of promoting members to better serve the needs of the department and the city we protect,” Santiago said in a written statement.

Both appointments take effect Feb. 16.