Congratulations to Steve Redick on being the 2018 recipient of the Ralph Feld Memorial Award at the Annual Chicago Fire Engine Rally & Swap Meet
Peter Tropp photo
a few more images from the Annual Chicago Fire Engine Rally & Swap Meet
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Chicago Firefighters at the scene of a working fire at 621 E. 91st Place 6/17/18.
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Excerpts from the ChicagoSunTimes.com:
The president of the Chicago Firefighters Union is apologizing for a protest during the national anthem that marred a charity football game dedicated to the memory of two fallen Chicago heroes.
Local 2 President Jim Tracy said he was appalled and embarrassed about what he called the “classless behavior of one of our members” during the “First Responders Bowl” last weekend.
Tracy was referring to African-American Firefighter Camron McGarity, who kneeled while the Star Spangled Banner was played before the football game.
“This game was about honoring our Line of Duty Death brothers Paul Bauer, CPD and Juan Bucio, CFD and their families for their bravery and commitment to the City of Chicago,” Tracy wrote in an email to the rank-and-file.
“This was not the place to make a self-serving, attention-drawing, pot-stirring statement. This person has not made this statement at any other games this year. He chose this game for this classless act for his own personal gain.”
The annual game is a great fundraiser against rivals, which benefits the Gold Badge and Gold Star widows and orphans.
Sources said teammates found McGarity’s protest so disrespectful to the heroes for whom the charity game was dedicated, there’s been internal talk about kicking him off the team next season. But that’s apparently as far as the punishment will go.
Chicago Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago, a retired Marine, has no plan to discipline or even reprimand McGarity.
thanks Dan
Working fire in Chicago
Jun 17
From Tim Olk 317-321 West Evergreen in Chicago
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
more from Steve Redick of the Annual Chicago Fire Engine Rally & Swap Meet
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Of interest … Backdraft II
Jun 17
Excerpts from moviehold.com:
“Backdraft 2” has been confirmed by Universal. Shooting is now underway in Romania on the film (which will also utilise locations in Toronto and Chicago).
Joe Anderson (Mason Verger on “Hannibal”) is playing Brian’s nephew Sean McCaffrey in the long-awaited follow-up. William Baldwin reprises his role from the original.
Alisha Bailey, Ross O’Hennessy, Sal Longbardo and Sia Alipour also among cast. Aside from Baldwin, Donald Sutherland is making an appearance as Ronald, the unhinged arsonist from the 1991 original.
Spanish director Gonzalo López-Gallego, best known for 2011 sci-fi thriller “Apollo 18”, has been charged with the mission of reigniting one of the biggest titles in the Universal library. The studio has tapped the filmmaker for its “Backdraft” sequel, tentatively titled “Backdraft II”, with filming set to begin in Romania and Toronto next month. William Baldwin is expected to reprise his role from the original 1991 blockbuster.
Film’s central character will be Sean McCaffrey, the grown son of Kurt Russell’s character from the first film, an investigator with the Chicago F.D who still holds his uncle (Baldwin) responsible for the death of his pop.
The bad guys in this one are a group of agents sneaking a missile out of the country, using a series of deadly fires as a distraction.
“Backdraft”, directed by Ron Howard and penned by Gregory Widen, starred Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rebecca De Mornay, Donald Sutherland, Robert De Niro, Jason Gedrick and J. T. Walsh. The film, made for 75 mill, didn’t spark a light with most critics but most did applaud it’s blazingly brilliant special effects and very impressive action sequences. The film received three Academy Award nominations for Sound Effects Editing, Visual Effects and Best Sound.
thanks Drew
a few quick highlights from the 2018 Annual Chicago Fire Engine Rally & Swap Meet
Steve Redick photo
Steve Redick photo
Bill Friedrich photo
Excerpts from a letter to the editor at the ChicagoTribune.com:
Your editorial criticizing Buffalo Grove Firefighter Kevin Hauber’s pension award shortchanged the subject of occupational diseases in firefighters. The pension board’s decision was based on Illinois law, and your editorial showed disregard for that law and the medical evidence behind it.
Hauber’s death to colon cancer is not an anomaly among veteran firefighters. Extensive scientific research shows compelling evidence that specific cancers — including colorectal cancers — are strongly associated with firefighting. That evidence is a result of extensive university studies as well as that of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
The editorial also neglected to recognize other critical medical factors: Hauber’s age, family, personal health history, and genetic testing showed he was not a colon cancer risk. Rather, an overriding environmental risk for the 23-year veteran firefighter was cited as evidence of increased risk to colorectal cancer.
Any attempt at empathy for his widow and children was negated by the contention that the pension vote was a misguided gesture. Indeed, it is irresponsible to ignore Illinois law while criticizing the pension board.
Illinois law governing presumptive disability states, “The type of cancer involved must be a type which may be caused by exposure to heat, radiation or a known carcinogen as defined by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.” Furthermore it says that the cancer must “arise as a result of service as a firefighter.”
Hauber was exposed over 23 years to soot, asbestos and formaldehyde. The IARC identifies them as primary carcinogens associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Not every firefighter succumbs to the ravages of colon cancer, just as not all airline mechanics get sucked into jet engines. But a reasonable person takes time to read scientific evidence and why it is incorporated into state law.
— Pat Devaney, president, Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, Springfield
thanks Dan
