Failure to evaluate health may have played role in two CFD deaths

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A failure by the Chicago Fire Department to evaluate the health of nearly two dozen firefighters may have played a role in two deaths.

According to a report by the city's Inspector General, 20 African-American firefighters hired after a discrimination lawsuit began work even though they were not medically cleared.

Two of them died while off-duty shortly after starting with the CFD.

They were among a group of 111 black firefighters hired to settle a discrimination lawsuit with the city. The inspector general says the department has since taken steps to make sure no one begins duty unless they are cleared by a department doctor.