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WBEZ has a new article updating readers on Chicago’s Red-X program, which uses red “X†signs to mark dangerous buildings. The story first covered the initiative earlier this year, and now it's time for an update.
Back in June, Curious City shared the tale of Chicago’s red “X†— durable metal signs placed by the Fire Department on 1,804 vacant buildings between June 2012 and July 2013. These signs were only used on structures that could pose a risk to firefighters and emergency personnel during emergencies. One tragic example was when firefighter Edward Stringer lost his life after a vacant laundromat collapsed during a fire.
Since that original report, several city officials have expressed support for continuing the Red-X program. Ald. Debra Silverstein, who initially introduced the ordinance, said she wants more funding to keep the program going. WBEZ first reported that the program ran out of money, and since then, the Fire Department has been actively seeking grant funding. However, according to Larry Langford, a Fire Department spokesperson, no new funds have been secured. Instead, they’ve shifted focus to an electronic system called CAD — the Computer Aided Dispatch system managed by the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC).
Langford explains that the system works by pulling up building information when a fire is reported. Firefighters receive this data before heading to the scene, and it also shows up on their mobile devices in red letters — mimicking the visual warning of the old red “X†signs. This electronic alert doesn’t rely on grants, unlike the previous program, which was funded by a $675,000 FEMA grant.
While the physical red “X†signs are no longer being installed, the digital database still serves the same purpose: to warn firefighters about potential dangers without marking the buildings themselves. Langford says this system effectively fulfills the original goal of protecting first responders. He adds that the information isn’t meant to prevent entry but to encourage caution in high-risk situations.
The shift from physical signs to an electronic system reflects a change in how the city manages safety risks, using technology to maintain awareness without relying on external funding. It’s a move that highlights both the challenges of sustaining public safety programs and the adaptability of emergency services in the face of budget constraints.
Thanks, Dannis.