GameDay Network
How The Chicago Black Fire Brigade is Saving Lives and Stopping Violence
April 9, 2026
Discover how Chicago firefighter Quinton Curtis founded the Black Fire Brigade to train youth as first responders and combat gun violence in the Windy City.
In this inspiring segment of Everyday Heroes, we explore the incredible impact of the Black Fire Brigade in Chicago. Founded in June 2018 by Lieutenant Quinton Curtis, this groundbreaking nonprofit organization aims to combat gun violence by offering young people a path to becoming emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and firefighters. By providing free tuition and a strong sense of community, the program has successfully trained hundreds of at-risk youth, single mothers, and homeless individuals. Recognized as a top crime prevention program in Illinois, the Black Fire Brigade operates on a powerful motto: teaching a kid to save a life makes them less likely to take one. Lieutenant Curtis, a dedicated first responder who also served during 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, continues to go above and beyond the call of duty to empower the next generation of heroes.
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