Attracting young Hammond residents to seek careers in the Hammond Fire Department would also create more diversity within that department, according to an ordinance that passed on first and second reading at the Feb. 10 City Council meeting.
Sponsored by Councilman Scott Rakos, D-6th, the ordinance would create the Medic Bound program using revenue from Hammond’s riverboat gambling fund. A public hearing on the ordinance is set for the next council meeting that begins at 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at Hammond City Hall, 5925 Calumet Ave.
“This ordinance is to help Hammond residents be able to afford EMT training. It helps remove barriers,” said Rakos, who retired in 2015 from the Hammond Fire Department after 36 years of service including time as Assistant Fire Chief.