Shortly after noon today (Tuesday) the Wheeling Fire Department received a call reporting workers feeling ill at a local manufacturing facility. When the first fire department units arrived, at 750 Northgate Parkway, they recorded very high CO readings and had the facility evacuated. They began to ventilate the building as they narrowed down the source to a piece of machinery. Initially, one worker was complaining of symptoms and was transported to an area hospital. Shortly thereafter, several other workers began reporting symptoms which prompted an escalation to an EMS Box Alarm for additional ambulances. This brought Long Grove, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Northbrook, and Buffalo Grove to the scene.
Wheeling Ambulance 42 was designated as triage for the incident once it became clear that there were multiple patients. Larry Shapiro photo
The Wheeling Fire Department chief gathers information from the deputy chief in order to maintain records of all the patients needing transport. Larry Shapiro photo
Long Grove paramedics prepare to transport a patient to the hospital. Larry Shapiro photo
Officials appeared to have all patients under care as nearly a hundred workers waited outside for firefighters to complete ventilation to bring down the CO to acceptable levels. The Box Alarm was struck out before several additional workers made their way to the triage area and reported feeling ill. An additional four ambulances were requested to the scene as the EMS Box was reinitiated and elevated to the 2nd level. Ambulances came from Prospect Heights, Highland Park, Barrington, Glenview, and Des Plaines in addition to two Wheeling ambulances.
Larry Shapiro was at the scene and submitted several images.
Ambulances from Northbrook and Lincolnshire-Riverwoods arrive at the scene after the EMS Box Alarm was requested. Larry Shapiro photo
A worker is escorted to the Northbrook ambulance for transport to Glenbrook Hospital. Larry Shapiro photo
Another worker is handed off to Buffalo Grove firefighters. Larry Shapiro photo
Wheeling firefighters switch out air cylinders before going back into the building to monitor the venting process. Larry Shapiro photo
Des Plaines Ambulance 71 leaves the scene with two patients going to a hospital. Larry Shapiro photo
Workers approach Glenview Ambulance 8 for transport to Lutheran General Hospital. Larry Shapiro photo
Ambulances from Highland Park, Barrington and Wheeling are staged before being released from the scene without patients. Larry Shapiro photo
After a total of 13 workers were transported to four area hospitals, the Box Alarm was struck out and the remaining ambulances were released.
While this incident was playing out, neighboring Buffalo Grove responded to a small fire in an industrial building a block away. They were assisted by an Arlington Heights ambulance and Northbrook Tower 12.
More riveting photos can be seen in a gallery HERE.
