VIDEO: Mayor Lori Lightfoot has tapped Acting Chicago Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt, who lost her teenage son to one of the city’s most infamous shootings in 2007, to serve as the first Black woman to run the Chicago Fire Department.
Lightfoot announced Nance-Holt’s nomination at a graduation ceremony for the latest class of Chicago Fire Department paramedics on Friday. “Pending City Council approval, Annette will be the first-ever female fire commissioner, putting yet another crack in that glass ceiling,” Lightfoot said. “I know a thing or two about firsts, so madame commissioner, welcome to the club.”
Nance-Holt urged the class of 42 new paramedics to treat the patients they serve as members of their own families.
“Always remember that you will be answering the call for someone on their worst day, and they will remember how you made them feel. You have an opportunity to leave a lasting impression about the Chicago Fire Department and the services that we provide to our citizens.”