Drew Smith passed along this message from Matthew Gray:
With the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 right around the corner … it is a pretty cool thing that a piece of history from that day is here in Prospect Heights. The original rig of FDNY Res4cue is at Fries Automotive. Little history on that day Res4cue responded with 8 members and returned with none. So of course Fries would love anyone to come by and take a look. It is in rough shape but still a piece of fire history none the less.
Stephen Wilcox has submitted images and commentary from yet another extra-alarm fire from Dupage County, this time at 5130 Meadow Lane in Downers Grove.
DG fire was notified at 1632 hours on 7/16/11. This single family home in an exclusive area was discovered by a jogger passing by. She noticed the front door belching fire and called 9-1-1. Understand that this area is heavily forested with creeks and steep ravines, narrow roads and few hydrants that are visible from the road. This house was three stories (equiv) 75′ X 125′ ordinary, not protected.
Looking from I-355 east towards the header. Stephen Wilcox photo
The front driveway on my arrival ... Stephen Wilcox photo
Heavy fire and collapsed roof visible from the second floor rear. Stephen Wilcox photo
A portion of the east roof, coming in. Stephen Wilcox photo
From the second floor rear, the fire is spreading now breaking throught the roof. Stephen Wilcox photo
Fire can be seen taking possesion of the building. Stephen Wilcox photo
Water was another difficulty. Hydrants were placed down the side of the ravines so that it could not be seen from the road. In this case, the 5" was hand-jacked down, across and up this ravine to the engine. This line fed a tower. Stephen Wilcox photo
An example of the difficulty positioning apparatus at this fire. This was the only rig actually on the property. Stephen Wilcox photo
As the fire fight continued, humidity and temps went up and the smoke hung low to the ground. Stephen Wilcox photo
Aug 11
Northwestern University has donated roughly $253,000 to purchase a new ambulance for the Evanston Fire & Life Safety Department. An announcement posted this week can be found HERE on the City of Evanston website.
Northwestern University will donate a new ambulance to the City of Evanston, Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl announced today.
“We appreciate very much the continued support of Northwestern University for our fire and life safety department,” Mayor Tisdahl said. “Northwestern University is a wonderful part of our community, and we are grateful to receive this generous donation.”
The new ambulance, which will be an advanced life support transport unit, will go into frontline service this fall, as soon as the licensing process is completed,” said Greg Klaiber, Evanston Fire and Life Safety Services Chief. “The new ambulance will replace a current unit that the city will then keep in reserve for use as needed. The new ambulance includes a power cot, power oxygen lift and a heart monitor/defibrillator”
In 2009 Northwestern donated $550,000 to the City for the purchase of a new fire engine, which went into service the following year.
Shortly before 2AM on Thursday a motorist made a cellular 9-1-1 call and reported a fire at 3010 Mannheim Road in Franklin Park. First arriving units were met by heavy fire in the front lobby and on the third floor of a large, three-story, vacant motel property that is setup in the shape of an ‘H’ with a banquet hall in the rear. The building has been vacant for several years, and Franklin Park firefighters knew that the structural integrity of the building was suspect and they preplanned to take a defensive stance upon arrival if the building caught fire.
The banquet hall on the right is surrounded by guest rooms. Heavy fire burns in the back of the main building which faces Mannheim Road and has spread to the adjoining wing on the left. Steve Redick photo
When the first companies found heavy fire, they immediately requested a MABAS Box Alarm from MABAS Division 20. A 2nd alarm was requested roughly 20 minutes later. Six elevated master streams were eventually put to work around the building with the Melrose Park Bronto (working it’s second 3-11 alarm fire in a 12 hour span) setup on the south (‘B’), Leyden Township to the west (‘C’) with an E-ONE HP75, Rosemont to the north (‘D’) with their Pierce tower ladder, and the other three were working on Mannheim Road in front of the building (‘A’). This included another Bronto from Elmwood Park, a Seagrave rear mount from Franklin Park, and another Pierce tower from Schiller Park.
Schiller Park Tower 454 is working in front of the fire building on Mannheim road. Steve Redick photo
Engines that were due up to the 2nd alarm were two from Franklin Park, and one each from Stone Park, Elmhurst, River Grove, Norwood Park, Northlake, and Bensenville. Chicago Squad 7 from O’Hare was also due on the 2nd alarm.
The Melrose Park Bronto Skylift was positioned on the south side of the complex using the master stream to combat the fire. Larry Shapiro photo
Firefighters from Elmwood Park are above the roof on the southeast corner of the structure on Mannheim Road. Larry Shapiro photo
An EMS Box Alarm was also struck which brought ambulances from Schiller Park, Leyden Township, River Grove, and Bensenville in addition to an ambulance from Northlake. This allowed for multiple ambulances to be on standby for the multiple Rapid Intervention Teams that were part of the preplanning to accommodate the size of the property and the potential for unsafe conditions.
Schiller Park Tower 454 was on Mannheim at Center Avenue, the northeast corner of the building. Franklin Park Truck 2 and the Elmwood Park Bronto are further down the street. Larry Shapiro photo
A 3rd alarm fire box was initiated roughly an hour into the fire to provide relief companies for the crews that were working. This brought Maywood Truck 502 along with engines from River Forest, Berkely, and Hillside.
Franklin Park's engine tagged a hydrant at the corner of Mannheim and Schiller Boulevard to supply water to Truck 2. Larry Shapiro photo
The fire proved to have a hold throughout the main building and required several instances where all lines were shut down to allow the fire to burn through the roof so that firefighters could have access to extinguish the flames. Several hand lines and multi-versals were put to use supplementing the elevated master streams.
Several hours into the fire all of the lines were shut down so the fire could burn freely to allow firefighters better access to it. Larry Shapiro photo
The fire grows in intensity without water being applied. This in turn gave firefighters more access to fight the fire that was burning beneath the intact roof. Larry Shapiro photo
The alarms were finally struck out near 8AM as it appeared that companies finally had gotten the upper hand and were able to reach all of the deep seated fire which proved to be quite stubborn.
Several area photographers, Steve Redick, Tim Olk, Larry Shapiro, and Gordon J. Nord Jr., were at the scene overnight and will have images to post at different times during the day. As the images become available, the posting will be updated. Larry has a gallery HERE, and Steve has a gallery HERE.
The header as seen from a high-rise building in Oak Park. Dan McInerney photo
Firefighters prepare to put the Melrose Park Bronto Skylift into operation as the attack went defensive. Dan McInerney photo
The center of the courtyard off of Pine Street provided a vantage point for multiple hand lines directed into the upper floors of the fire building. Dan McInerney photo
The Maywood Fire Department received a call around 9AM this morning from contractors renovating a four-story vacant building. Preliminary reports indicate an accident involving a torch from a worker near the cockloft of one building of this five-building complex. A 2nd alarm was requested from Maywood companies shortly after arrival and the fire was eventually elevated to a third alarm. The structure was brick with concrete floors and the fire ran the length of the attic space burning off much of the roof before it collapsed in sections.
Aerial master streams from the Maywood and Melrose Park aerials along with a hand line from the ground go to work on the east side of the fire building shortly after companies were pulled out of the building. Dan McInerney photo
Heavy smoke is venting through the roof of the fire building as seen from 4th Avenue looking to the north east. Larry Shapiro photo
Maywood firefighters working off the tip of Truck 502's aerial work to gain access to the cockloft so they can reach the seat of the fire. Larry Shapiro photo
Maywood Truck 502, a Spartan/Darley/Nova-Quintech was setup on 3rd Street on the east side of the fire. Larry Shapiro photo
Looking south on 3rd Avenue from Randolph the fire building is seen as part of a larger complex of buildings. The fire was contained to the building of origin. Larry Shapiro photo
Maywood firefighters operate a hand line directed into the top floor. John Tulipano photo
A wider shot shows one hand line, the Maywood truck, and the stream from the Melrose Park aerial working on the east side of the fire building. John Tulipano photo
Fire breaks through the roof above where firefighters from Maywood are working to reach the cockloft. Larry Shapiro photo
Before they can continue their ventilation work, the Maywood firefighters standby as lines from the ground and the Melrose Park tower are directed at the flames. Larry Shapiro photo
As fire travels from the north to the south along the roof and cockloft, firefighters direct their streams to the southern end. The roof on the north end has collapsed. Dan McInerney photo
Maywood responded to the scene with a truck, three engine, and an ambulance. Mutual aid came from Melrose Park, Westchester, and Forest Park with trucks, North Riverside and River Grove with ambulances and engines from Broadview, Berkely, Bellwood, Stone Park, Elmwood Park, Hillside, and River Forest. The Maywood, Westchester, and Melrose Park trucks had master streams working, and engines supplying water were from Stone Park, River Forest, Bellwood, Berkely, plus two from Maywood.
Larry Shapiro, John Tulipano, and Dan McInerney were at the fire and submitted several images.
Maywood firefighters work to gain access to the hidden fire behind the mansard roof as the fire continues to vent through the roof. John Tulipano photo
As fire breaks through a new section of the roof, the master streams are re0directed. John Tulipano photo
Fire has reached the south end of the roof as seen from Pine Street and 3rd Avenue. Larry Shapiro photo
Companies worked inside the building until the fire took control of the roof and firefighters were notified by the contractors that there were several propane tanks plus two Bobcat Skid-Steer loaders inside.
Hillside Engine 405 was parked in staging and was not used for pumping, The manpower worked at the scene. Larry Shapiro photo
Maywood's 3rd engine at the scene, Engine 505, was parked down the street from the fire building. John Tulipano photo
Engines from River Forest and Stone Park laid hose to 5th Avenue and were on hydrants at Pine and Randolph respectively. Larry Shapiro photo
The 3-11 was struck out before noon.
John has a gallery of images HERE and Larry has a gallery HERE.
Another view showing fire burning through the roof with both master streams working. John Tulipano photo
An article about the fire can be found HERE.
The Oak Park Fire Department received a call reporting a partial building collapse this afternoon in the 200 block of Harrison covering approximately 201-211 at the southwest corner of Harrison Street and Lombard Avenue.
Dan McInerney was at the scene and submitted several images and a description of the event:
Oak Park responded with three engines, two ambulances, a command van, and the Mabas Division 11 Techincal Rescue Vehicle to a report of a building collapse at Lombard and Harrison at 1350 hrs. Upon arrival companies found a one story, L-shaped, commercial building, approx 150 feet wide by 100 feet deep. The brick facade along approx 100 feet along Harrison street collapsed onto the sidewalk. There were no injuries to any poeple in this normally busy commercial district, although two cars parked in front of the collapse zone were slightly damaged by falling bricks.The east portion of the building has been under renovaton for some time. Firefighters conducted a search of the brick pile along the sidewalk for potential victims. Companies were on the scene for approx 90 minutes securing the buildings and utilities before turning the building over to the building department.
Aug 10
Martin Nowak found this article in the Chicago Sun-Times about a motor vehicle accident involving a double fatality on the city’s Northwest Side.
Exciting Dells plans turn tragic when mother, son die in NW Side crash
A Honda Civic loaded with vacationers collided with another vehicle Tuesday morning on the Northwest Side, leaving a mother and her teenage son dead and three other children injured.
The crash happened just after 8 a.m. in the 4400 block of North Austin, police said. One car hit a pole after the initial crash, investigators said.
Claudia Delia, the woman driving the car full of vacationers, and her son Bryan Delia, 16, were killed.
Aug 10
The Glenside Fire Protection District in Glendale Heights has been added to the site. Glenside is in MABAS Division 12 and runs out of a single station at the corner of Fullerton Avenue and Bloomingdale Road. The station was originally built in 1970 and underwent an extensive renovation which ended in 2004. They have two Medtec ambulances, a new 2010 Ferrara Inferno engine, two E-ONE HP75 quints, and a Pierce engine. Glenside also houses one of three MABAS Division 12 Haz Mat trailers.
The Glenside Fire Protection District station at 1608 Bloomingdale Road. Larry Shapiro photo
The majority of Glenside apparatus is presently painted black over red. Prior to adding the black roofs, apparatus was white over red beginning in 1996. During the early years of the department, the apparatus was a bright yellow that was also reflected in their patch.
Glenside Engine 711 was formerly Engine 701 as delivered in 1989 by Pierce in what was the department's yellow. Larry Shapiro collection
In 1996, Glenside switched from yellow apparatus to red with a white roof as seen in this delivery photo of Quint 705. Larry Shapiro photo
Prior to purchasing the first E-ONE quint in 1986, Glenside ran this 1972 Ford C/Pierce 55' Snorkel as Engine 5 with a 1,000-GPM pump and 500 gallons of water. Larry Shapiro collection
Marine Sgt Adam Chapman escorts an American flag that was flown in Afghanistan in honor of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department. Larry Shapiro photo
On Monday evening at a village board meeting, the Buffalo Grove Fire Department received an American flag which had been flown over the Base Defense Operation Center, 3rd Battalion 25th Marines Forward Camp Leatherneck, in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, in honor of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department. The flag was presented to Buffalo Grove Chief Terrence Vavra by Marine, Sgt. William Adam Chapman. Adam is the nephew of Buffalo Grove FF/PM Kevin Hauber and FF/PM James Hauber, both of whom with Adam escorted the flag into the village board meeting where the flag was accepted by Chief Vavra and other members of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department.
Surrounding Sgt. Chapman are his uncles FF/PM Kevin Hauber and FF/PM James Hauber both of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department. Larry Shapiro photo
Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Terry Vavra accepts the flag from Sgt. Chapman. Larry Shapiro photo
Marine Sgt. Chapman and attendees look on as Chief Vavra shows the flag to the village administrative staff. Larry Shapiro photo
Buffalo Grove FF/PM Kevin Hauber, Marine Sgt. William Adam Chapman, Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Terry Vavra, and Buffalo Grove FF/PM James Hauber. Larry Shapiro photo
Members of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department attended the village board meeting to witness the presentation of the flag to the fire department. Larry Shapiro photo
The Daily Herald covered the story and has an article HERE.
After the flag was presented, Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Terry Vavra addressed the village board.
“It may seem like a fairly ordinary occurrence that the Marines would fly an American flag over their base, and that is true,” he said.
“What is striking to me is that this soldier thought about his uncles and the Buffalo Grove Fire Department while on his tour of duty. Sergeant Chapman took time out of his duty to request that the Base Commander and First Sergeant gave their approval for this honor.
“They show their dedication to all of us by thinking of us first.”
Vavra said Chapman’s action has touched “many of us who hold the military in the highest esteem.
“When you look at this flag you cannot help but feel proud of these men and women and the sacrifices they are making for us,” the chief said.
Firegeezer.com has an editorial HERE entitled Local 2 to I.G. – “Butt Out!” where Firegeezer outlines some history involving CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, INSPECTOR GENERAL Joseph Ferguson and his recent public outcries which go beyond the scope of his office and position. These include offering budget options to the city council which among other things called for a reduction in Chicago Fire Department manning and then recommending specific disciplinary actions for members of the CFD Fire Prevention Bureau apparently caught padding mileage summaries for usage of their own vehicles followed. Then he states that the bureau should be closed and combined with other city inspection services.
Commissioner Hoff advised Fergie that he (Hoff) will be making the decisions on what disciplinary action will be taken and to forget about putting fire inspections in the purview of plumbers and electricians.
The editorial includes a letter to the public which was sent to the media by Tom Ryan, President of the FF union Local 2.
Excerpts include:
Last October, Mr. Ferguson provided an unsolicited Budget Options Report to the City Council in the form of a press release. Included in that report was an “option” for the City to reduce staffing on fire apparatuses from five firefighters to four. His report stated that this option was based on the National Fire Protection Association’s recommendation for “a minimum of only four personnel on each fire apparatus.” What Mr. Ferguson omitted from his report was the very next sentence of the NFPA Journal interview from which the recommendation was cited: “For special service vehicles, the standard states the apparatus must be staffed with the appropriate personnel to accomplish the tasks that the company will be expected to perform in a safe manner.” Additionally, the NFPA makes it clear in the same article that the staffing standard “is currently based on a fire in a typical single-family, two-story, 2000-square-foot house without basement or exposures.” The NFPA also states that in areas with “high target hazards” such as large manufacturing districts, skyscapers, hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and special needs facilities there should be a minimum of five firefighters, and in some cases, even six. This High Target Hazard designation of course applies to virtually every one of Chicago ’s 50 wards.
This week the Inspector General’s Office leaked details of an internal report recommending the dismissal of Fire Prevention Bureau personnel to the media before a disciplinary review could be conducted by the Fire Commissioner. As such, the Inspector General may have again compromised the integrity of his report. Thankfully, Mayor Emanuel has publicly stated his expectation of the Commissioner to deal with these allegations. The Fire Prevention Bureau provides critical reports and hazard warnings for the buildings first responders are often rushing into. Their work is essential to the safety of rank-and-file firefighters specifically and to the public-at-large, and requires expert training in fire science. The IGO’s recommendation to “fold” this Bureau into the Building Department is a flagrant disregard for public safety. Furthermore, by covertly publicizing this report and recommendation, the Inspector General’s Office has effectively poured gasoline onto a fire. Hopefully these new flames will not jeopardize the abilities of the Fire Prevention Bureau in consistently and continuously executing their obligations to the fire safety of our city.
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For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
