Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Commissioner Richard C. Ford II today announced 131 Firefighter EMTs and Fire Paramedics are graduating from the Fire Academy in a ceremony at Navy Pier. The graduating class includes 112 new firefighters, 42 percent who come from minority backgrounds and six who are females. In addition, this graduation ceremony also recognizes 19 new paramedics who will begin their district assignments with CFD Emergency Medical Services this month.  Candidates graduating completed a rigorous six-month training course at the Robert Quinn Fire Academy that includes courses for certification as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and Illinois Firefighter or Fire Paramedic. Training includes not only basic firefighting skills, but also operation in confined space and specific rescue techniques for search, rescue and extrication as well as coordinating medical services with hospitals, mental health clinicians and dispatchers.  Paramedics are licensed by an accredited institution before joining the Fire Department, and new members will begin their district assignments with CFD Emergency Medical Services this month. Following graduation, the new members will be assigned to various firehouses based on department needs and lottery selection.