Chicago's new Fire Commissioner Cortez Trotter recently held a press conference at headquarters to announce his plans to reengineer the Chicago Fire Department. Wearing a business suit rather than a traditional fire department uniform, Trotter faced television cameras and reporters from radio, newspaper, television -- and one fire service magazine.

In May, Trotter took the reins of a department rocked by criticism for its handling of a fatal high-rise fire in October and by racial problems in its firehouses, exacerbated by the broadcast of racial slurs over the radio system and by phoned threats. Chicago's first black fire commissioner, Trotter promised change when he was appointed by the mayor. On this day, he delivered.

Trotter moved more than half of his top deputies -- seven out of 12 -- into new jobs. Another 36 CFD personnel will assume new roles in the reorganized department. By the time you read this, the staff changes will be old news (see the ABC report online for those details if you're interested ), but I think there's more to the story here than names and new positions.

Things got interesting when the questions started from the members of the press. Of course, most questions focused on the race issue and the extent of his changes.

"A 72% change in the leadership team so early in your term has to be the broadest ever," one reporter said.

"The issue was raised that the phone calls [of racial slurs] stopped when you were named the new commissioner," said another.

"What percent of the sworn staff is minority?"

The commissioner replied 50%.

"What was the former percentage of minorities?"

Just over 40%, said the commissioner.

Another reporter pointed out that only one member of his senior management team was female. Jodi Warrick was promoted to assistant deputy fire commissioner for EMS operations from her previous position of chief paramedic.

As I listened to the barrage of questions all focus on the same two issues, I couldn't help but get disgusted that not one reporter asked about other important matters, such as his priorities, budget issues or equipment.

Of the 11 new uniformed appointments Trotter introduced (one was out of town), six were white males (55%); four were African-American males (36%); and one was a white female (9%).

Of the 15 reporters and cameramen in attendance, excluding myself, 10 were white males (66%); three were African-American males (20%); one was a Hispanic male (7%); and one was a white female (7%).

I had to admire Commissioner Trotter for his composure. I think he was a real gentleman for not pointing out the ratio of minorities facing him at that moment.

Janet Wilmoth, Editor