Mayor Brandon Johnson Appoints Francisco Velez as Executive Director of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications
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CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Appoints New Leader for Office of Emergency Management and Communications

In a move to strengthen public safety in the city, Mayor Brandon Johnson has appointed Francisco "Frank" Velez as the new head of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC). With almost 30 years of experience in public safety, Velez is currently serving as the Acting Executive Director of OEMC.

Velez's extensive background in public safety includes his previous role as Deputy District Chief for the Chicago Fire Department, where he focused on special operations and event coordination. This experience has given him a solid understanding of the incident command system and enhanced public safety coordination.

Mayor Johnson expressed his confidence in Velez's ability to keep Chicagoans safe, stating, "Frank is an experienced leader and someone who understands exactly what it takes to keep Chicagoans safe. I'm confident that he will play a critical role in helping us make Chicago the safest big city in America."

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Velez also shared his excitement about his new role, saying, "I'm honored to be appointed to lead the men and women of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications. As a veteran of the Chicago Fire Department, I know the critical role that OEMC performs to keep residents, visitors and first responders safe."

During his time with the Chicago Fire Department, Velez served as Deputy District Chief and Coordinator of Special Events Liaison. In this position, he worked closely with OEMC, the Chicago Police Department, City of Chicago Departments, and sister agencies to plan, coordinate, monitor and operate major special events held in the city. These events include large gatherings such as Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, and the Bud Billiken parade.

Velez's dedication to public safety began early on when he became a paramedic with the Chicago Fire Department. He worked his way up through the ranks with distinction and also served as an instructor at the Chicago Fire Academy. Velez's commitment to youth is evident through his work with the Chicago Police and Fire Training Academy program, where he mentors high school students interested in careers in public safety.

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In addition to his experience in public safety, Velez has a diverse educational background, including Northwestern University, Truman College, Columbus Hospital, Illinois Institute of Technology, and the Northwest Community Paramedic Program. He has also completed numerous professional training and certification programs for first responders and emergency response.

Born and raised in Chicago, Velez currently resides in the city with his wife Margaret. He is a proud father of three children and grandfather of five grandchildren.

Velez's appointment as the new leader of OEMC is subject to City Council confirmation. With his extensive experience and dedication to public safety, Velez is expected to play a crucial role in keeping Chicagoans safe and making the city a safer place for all.

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