WBEZ has a new update 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 there's more to share.
In June, Curious City introduced listeners to the red "X" — a simple but powerful symbol used by the Chicago Fire Department to identify vacant buildings that could pose a risk to firefighters and first responders. Between 2012 and 2013, the city placed these metal signs on 1,804 properties. Not all empty buildings got an "X," only those considered structurally unsafe or potentially hazardous in an emergency.
A tragic incident involving firefighter Edward Stringer, who died when a vacant laundromat collapsed during a fire, highlighted the importance of this program.
Since the original report, several officials have expressed support for continuing the initiative. Alderman Debra Silverstein, who originally pushed for the red "X" ordinance, said she’s still looking for funding to keep it going. Meanwhile, Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford mentioned that the department has been searching for grants ever since the program ran out of money. However, they now refer to the Red-X program in the past tense, as no new funds have been secured.
Instead of placing new red "X" signs, the department is now using an electronic system called the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch), managed by the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC). This system allows firefighters to access building information directly from their mobile devices when responding to emergencies.
When a call comes in, dispatchers pull up details about the location through the OEMC database. Firefighters receive printed reports before heading out, and the same data appears on their mobile terminals in red letters — just like the old red "X" signs. According to Langford, this system effectively conveys the same level of awareness without the need for physical markings.
Unlike the Red-X program, which relied on a $675,000 federal grant, the electronic system doesn’t depend on external funding. Langford says this makes it a more sustainable solution. “The OEMC system allows us to achieve the goal of protecting firefighters,†he said, “without having to mark buildings.â€
While the electronic alerts don’t prevent firefighters from entering a building, they do serve as a warning to exercise caution in certain situations. It’s a shift in approach, but one that aims to keep first responders safe in a cost-effective way.
Thanks, Dannis
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