Off-duty Chicago firefighters and paramedics have been ordered to take all of their gear home with them to speed deployment in the event of an emergency at Barack Obama's giant election night rally in Grant Park.
The order begins next Wednesday and continues until Nov. 6 -- two days after the election.
Firefighters have been ordered to take home gear that includes protective clothing known as bunker gear, gloves, face mask, helmet, boots and breathing apparatus tank.
Firefighters work 24 hours on -- and then have 48 hours off. Paramedics work 24 hours on -- with 72 hours off.
Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford acknowledged the order was prompted by the massive Obama rally.
"This way, their gear would be with them instead of having to go to the firehouse to get their gear. They could be sent to any location with their gear already with them," Langford said.
"It's a precautionary measure so they can respond if they have to in the unlikely event they would be required to report for duty," he said.
The last time firefighters were ordered to take their gear home was in August, when a South Side pumping station was swamped, raising concerns about widespread flooding.
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