Steve Redick compiled this cellphone video footage by Jim McCall of the Woman’s Club of Wilmette fire (2/17/15).
This from Steve Redick:
Recently I shared a brochure from Ahrens Fox. In it was a photo from the big grain elevator conflagration in 1939. I have shared two more press photos and part 1 of the Underwriters report on the fire. This is very cool stuff if you take the time to read through it. This was an amazing fire, and a classic big city response. It’s worth a good look … more to follow …
This from Drew Smith:
Our 1996 rescue pumper, the former Squad 9 (also known as “Squadzilla”) has been sold to the Jay VFD in Vermont who took possession Monday (2/24/15). JVFD Assistant Chief Jeff Morse and Captain Brent Grenier are driving the vehicle to its new home. Jay, VT is located at the Canadian border to the U.S. about 1,000 miles from Prospect Heights.
JVFD is no stranger to long drives with used apparatus. A/C Morse stated that a few years ago they purchased a used 175-foot triple-axle Bronto from South Padre Island, TX and drove it back to Jay.
Drew Smith
Drew Smith photo
Drew Smith photo
This from John Tulipano:
A few images from the Box Alarm at 118 W. Madison Avenue in Wheaton, IL (2/24/15). Fire was in a 2-1/2 story, balloon-frame, 25X50 with fire in the basement running the rafters.
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
John Tulipano photo
Video by Dan Shevlin:
Still & Box Alarm. 439 N Leclaire. 2 1/2 story frame, 25 x 70. Occupied. Still time : 2134hrs. (short video)
This from Josh Boyajian:
Took in this fire in Gary on Tuesday (2/24/15) at 6th Avenue and Taney. I arrived well after the fire was out. Fire was in a one-sty frame, 25×40. First companies had heavy fire showing from the roof on arrival. Units on the still alarm were Engine’s 8, & 13, Truck 1, Squad 2, and Medic 404.
Josh Boyajian photo
Josh Boyajian photo
Josh Boyajian photo
Josh Boyajian photo
Josh Boyajian photo
Excerpts from the Daily Herald:
Standing outside in subzero temperatures that kept most suburbanites indoors, Palatine firefighters and community members paid tribute Monday morning to three fallen colleagues on the 42nd anniversary of the day they died battling a massive blaze in the village’s downtown.
On Feb. 23, 1973, volunteer firefighters John Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim lost their lives fighting a fire in a Ben Franklin store.
Some of the firefighters who were there with them that day, along with Ahlgrim’s widow, Rose, joined current members of the fire department at the Palatine Firefighters Memorial for a solemn ceremony recognizing their sacrifice.
Members of the Palatine Fire Department Honor Guard presented a wreath at the statue that stands at the memorial in recognition of the firefighters’ service, and performed a bell ceremony honoring Wilson, Freeman and Ahlgrim.
The three volunteer firefighters were on the first hose line battling the 1973 fire in the downtown Ben Franklin store. They died while working to put out the fire in the store’s basement.
thanks Dan
Area apparatus on order
Feb 24
From Ron Wolkoff:
- Wheaton Fire Department, ordered a Pierce pumper; Impel FR PUC cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; 1,500-gpm single-stage pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank; Harrison 6-kW generator. Delivery in May 2015
- Northbrook Fire Department, ordered a Pierce pumper; Impel cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 400-hp engine; 1,500-gpm single-stage pump; UPF Poly 500-gallon tank; Will-Burt Chief light tower; Harrison 6-kW generator. Delivery in May 2015
- Mount Prospect Fire Department, ordered a Pierce pumper; Quantum cab and chassis; Detroit DD13 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank. Delivery in January 2015
- Evanston Fire Department, ordered a Pierce, 100-foot tractor drawn aerial; Arrow XT cab and chassis; Detroit DD13 500-hp engine; Harrison 8-kW generator. Delivery in August 2015
- East Dundee and Countryside Fire Protection District, ordered an Alexis pumper; Spartan Metro Star cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Waterous CX 1,500-gpm pump; Pro Poly 500-gallon polypropylene tank; Smart Power Liberator 10-kW electrical/5-kW hydraulic generator/rescue power system for rescue tools. Delivery in May 2015
- Rockford Fire Department, ordered two Pierce pumpers; Saber PUC cabs and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engines; PUC 1,500-gpm single-stage pumps; UPF Poly 750-gallon tanks. 30-gallon foam cells; Akron eductor 3096-95 Class A foam systems. Delivery in January 2015
- Itasca Fire Protection District, ordered a Pierce pumper; Velocity cab and chassis; Detroit DD13 500-hp engine; Waterous S100 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank; Harrison 10-kW generator. Delivery in February 2015
- Chicago Ridge Fire Department, ordered an E-ONE 78’Quint; chassis
- Huntley Fire Protection District, ordered a Pierce pumper; Enforcer cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 380-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank. Delivery in July 2015
From Josh Boyajian:
- Geneva Fire Department – Pierce Enforcer pumper, 1500/750/30. Delivery in May
- Glencoe Fire Department – E-One Typhoon pumper, 2000/530. Delivery in September
- Hometown FPD – E-ONE Typhoon pumper, 1500/530. Delivery in September
- North Palos FPD – E-ONE Cyclone II pumper, 1500/530. Delivery in September
- Palos FPD – Pierce Saber pumper, 1500/750. Delivery in June
- Stickney Fire Department – Horton Type I ambulance on a Ford F-450 chassis . Delivery in March
- Homer FPD – Road Rescue Type I ambulance on a Ford F-450 chassis
- Aurora Fire Department – Wheeled Coach Type I Ambulance on a Ford F-450 chassis
- Melrose Park Fire Department – Wheeled Coach Type III ambulance on a Ford E-450 chassis
- Gurnee Fire Department – Road Rescue Type I Ultramedic ambulance. Delivery this summer.
- Bloomingdale FPD – E-ONE 95′ RM tower ladder on a Cyclone II chassis
This from Steve Redick:
Here is a real treat for you apparatus fans. This is a classic brochure from Ahrens Fox. I believe it is from the late 30s. If you look closely it has a photo from a Chicago grain elevator conflagration along the Calumet river with lots of Foxes pumping. I believe it was May 1939, the Rosenbaum Elevators. I scanned these in and merged the 3 page spread into 1 image and sharpened it up some … turned out great. It also features an FDNY Fox as well, even though it is not lettered. This is way cool stuff!!!!
Steve
New tower ladder for Niles
Feb 23
Niles Fire Department, Dash CF PUC cab and chassis, 100-foot platform quint; Detroit DD13 500-hp engine; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; 20-gallon foam cell; Husky 12 Class A foam system; Harrison 10-kW generator; $1,161,000.
Niles Tower 2. Pierce composite
thanks Ron
