Archive for February 18th, 2012

Chicago Still & Box Alarm at the old Post Office

Chicago companies went to the old Post Office building on Van Buren last night for a fire on the roof. Radioman911.com has audio  in two separate recordings of the radio traffic.

2012/02/17 Chicago High Rise Still and Box Alarm / EMS Plan 1 old Post Office 433 W. Van Buren St.

Part 1


Watch live video from Radioman 911 on Justin.tv

Part 2


Watch live video from Radioman 911 on Justin.tv

Tags: , , , , ,

Upcoming changes for the CFD?

Bill Post submitted the following thoughts

On the 6PM Channel 2 Chicago News tonight (Friday) the opening story was about possible cuts to the Chicago Fire Department. Reporter Jay Levine mentioned that out of over 90 fire stations, 11 of them were older, single company stations that were said to be “old inefficient and going away” according to “fire department sources”.  It was also cited that 5 or 6 stations could possibly be closed and the approximately 150 men that are assigned to them would “not be replaced but would instead be used to make up for the difference for firefighters who are retiring.”

 

Engine 78’s station was used as an example. Engine 83’s station was also used as an example. However it was a poor example as the said “merging slower fire houses” like Engine 83 on Wilson Ave in Uptown could save the city money, similar to the Mayor’s idea of closing some police stations. Since when is Engine 83 a “slower” house? Police stations and fire stations are like comparing apples and oranges. Most of the policemen assigned to the stations are out on the streets in their cars on patrol and assigned to beats while firefighters and paramedics are at their local fire station so they can protect the neighborhood that they serve. It is necessary for them to be there so they can be on the scene in less then 5 minutes.

 

Other sources of potential savings cited  were “duty availability pay” costing about $15 million dollars, the clothing allowance costing about $5 million dollars annually and the specialty pay for hazardous materials specialists, scuba divers, and paramedic training that cost an extra 5%  added to the firefighter’s salary.

 

I personally have a question. Who were the “fire department sources” that had said that single company stations were “old inefficient  and going away”. It’s hard for me to imagine that anyone from the Chicago Fire Department would say that, as it is a known fact that in all major fire departments the ratio of Engine to Truck companies is always higher and therefore there are always more Single Engine Stations to multi company (Engine and Truck) stations in just about every major fire department.

Tags: , , , , ,

Crimson aerials for Chicago in production

A visit to the Crimson Aerial facility in Ephrata, PA two weeks ago found three units in various stages of the production process. One was going to be shipped to the company’s facility in South Dakota for the mounting of the body, another was a few days behind the first, and the third chassis had not yet had the aerial mounted. By now they should all be in South Dakota.

Chicago Crimson aerial in production

One of Chicago's aerials at the Crimson facility in Ephrata, PA with the aerial mounted is ready to travel to South Dakota for the body installation.

Chicago Crimson aerial in production

The rear view shows the completed aerial assembly.

Chicago Crimson aerial in production

The frame rails extend beyond the torque box to accommodate the body.

Chicago Crimson aerial in production

Directly behind the cab is the front set of stabilizer jacks.

Chicago Crimson aerial in production

The rear jacks are beneath the turntable.

Chicago Crimson aerial in production

Two sections of a ladder for another truck have been assembled in the shop.

Chicago Crimson aerial in production

Closeup of the mid-section tip prior to the addition of the fly-section.

Chicago Crimson aerial in production

The torque box is being mounted to this chassis as the ladder is completed elsewhere in the plant.

 

Tags: , , , ,