Chicago firefighters responded this afternoon to an asphalt tank fire inside a building at 4710 W. Roosevelt Road. The Still Alarm was elevated to a Box Alarm when companies saw that several tanks were in the area and there was concern for an exposure. The header could be seen for some distance. A Haz Mat Level I was requested and ultimately the alarm was upgraded to a 2-11 with a special call for 6-3-1 and 6-3-2 for the possible use of high-expansion foam. Companies were able to handle the fire without putting the foam operation to work.
Larry Shapiro went to the scene but arrived shortly before the 2-11 and the Level I were struck out. He has a small gallery HERE, and there is a brief article HERE.
Tower Ladder 14, supplied by Engine 96 flows water on what is left of the asphalt fire in the industrial yard in the 4700 block of Roosevelt Road. Larry Shapiro photo
High Expansion Foam Unit 6-3-1 was called to the scene but did not go to work. Larry Shapiro photo
Engine 113 was on a hydrant on Roosevelt Road just outside of the gate leading to the industrial yard. Larry Shapiro photo
6-3-2 the bulk foam carrier unit was on the scene to support 6-3-1 in the event that foam was used at the fire. Larry Shapiro photo
5-1-1 was working out of the haz mat spare today. Larry Shapiro photo
#1 by Jacon on June 23, 2011 - 11:55 AM
Are admin. orders public record? And if so where can I find them.
#2 by Dennis McGuire Jr. on June 19, 2011 - 8:28 PM
Really? Ok have to check that out, like I said nothing has come out about moving it. It was thought to have been moved before, but that didn’t happen, with all the stuff at 39th St. there might be a mix up of rigs.
#3 by Daniel C. Rode on June 19, 2011 - 10:26 AM
Dennis, I talked to Bill Friedrich and he mentioned this to me during our conversation.
#4 by Dennis McGuire Jr. on June 18, 2011 - 11:51 PM
Dan how did you find out 6-3-2 the Foam Truck was moved to 39th St.? There is no Admin. Order on this.
#5 by Daniel C. Rode on June 18, 2011 - 3:59 PM
While at the Chicago muster today, found out there have been some changes. 8-8-11 has been relocated from Engine 44 to Engine 107 and 6-3-2 has been relocated from Engine 28 to Special Ops. Also unveiled at the muster was a new pick-up truck 5-6-4, it was towing a trailer with the Special Ops. Bobcat Toolcat loaded on it. Today’s muster was outstanding with the amount of current CFD Special Equipment that came for photo opportunities.
#6 by Jacob on June 17, 2011 - 8:30 PM
so is it painted white over red and not black over red?
#7 by Bill Post on May 18, 2011 - 10:26 PM
Prior to Oct 1985 the Haz Mat Unit was unmanned and was using a Step Van that was identified as 475. When 511 was put in service with the former Flying Squad rig they first ran with 2 men normally assigned to the company.
#8 by Bill Post on May 18, 2011 - 10:09 PM
Actually Chicago’s original 511 Haz Mat Squad was a rebuilt 1970/72 Mack/Platt former Flying Manpower Squad that was repainted white over red and was put in service in 1985 at Engine 42’s quarters.
#9 by Dennis McGuire Jr. on May 18, 2011 - 9:59 PM
That also was not 5-1-1’s first rig, they used an old flying squad rig that was refurbished by the shops and assigned to 5-1-1 which at the time was not a fully staffed rig.
#10 by Dennis McGuire Jr. on May 18, 2011 - 9:57 PM
That rig is a 1990 Spartan/Saulsbury Shop# G-492 which was housed at Engine 22’s quarters and assigned to ( at the time) the only hazmat unit in service , 5-1-1. They used that rig until the 2 ALF’s were bought and put in service.
Correction to Jeff’s statement about Chief Eversole, while he was instrumental in starting the fully staffed Haz-Mat unit of the Chicago Fire Department, he was not the one who established the Special Operations Division.
The Special Operation Division was started in the early 2000’s by Chief Hoff and Chief Fox which put all the special eqiupment under one division with a chief and now a Battalion Chief.
#11 by Jeff on May 18, 2011 - 5:49 PM
Jacob, the older 5-1-1 was established by Chief John Eversole, who created the Special Ops unit of the Chicago Fire Department, and he had wanted to have a Haz-mat truck, that could be distinguished throughout the department.
#12 by Jacob on May 17, 2011 - 11:00 PM
The spare hazmat is very interesting.what are the specs on the unit and is there any special reason why it does not have the traditional paint scheme of the CFD?