This week on Hibernian Radio, host Mike Houlihan is joined by two standout voices from Chicago’s emergency services: Patrick Fitzmaurice, retired CFD paramedic chief and outspoken advocate for paramedics, and Pat Quane, a second-generation firefighter and rising union leader. Though not lifelong friends, the two have built a strong bond over years of shared service, and it shows. Their conversation is as funny as it is fierce, with Quane frequently poking fun at Fitzmaurice and the two engaging in playful, brotherly banter that keeps things light even as they tackle serious topics. Together, they dive deep into the challenges facing Chicago’s first responders, from the urgent need for more ambulances and trained paramedics to the political and bureaucratic roadblocks that hinder progress. They discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic intensified staffing issues, why the city’s EMS billing system is leaving money on the table, and how divisive tactics from leadership have strained unity within the department. Quane brings a reform-minded perspective and a sharp sense of humor, while Fitzmaurice delivers the unvarnished truth earned from decades in the trenches. Their conversation is filled with real frontline stories, emotional reflections, and practical ideas like fast-tracking military medics into EMS roles and introducing EMT training in high schools to strengthen the fire department from the inside out. Through it all, their chemistry and candor make this episode not just informative, but genuinely entertaining.

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