Archive for May, 2012

Homewood Acres FPD update

Dennis McGuire, Jr. stopped by the Homewood Acres Fire Department on Tuesday and submitted several images along with some information about the department.

Notes: The department is NOT up and running yet but they are working towards it. Training is under way and currently they have 15 volunteers.

The old Engine 1932 (1972 Ford-John Bean) has been sold to a gentleman in Grant Park, Illinois who owns a pawn shop in Flossmoor. It’s leaving tomorrow morning (5-30) and will be kept in Grant Park and driven to the pawn shop for use as advertising.(As a note, the Ford has a gas motor). This rig had quite a history; X-East Joliet FPD, X-Holbrook FPD, and X-Glenwood, Illinois, in that order.

Homewood Acres Fire Protection District

Engine 1932 is a 1972 Ford-C/John Bean with a 1,000-GPM pump and 750 gallons of water. (the pump # is D3-105-972). This is X-East Joliet FPD, X-Holbrook FPD, X-Glenwood FD. Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

The new Engine 1932 is the 1985 Ford/Pierce from Plainfield, Illinois. They haven’t decided if it will be painted or left white.

Homewood Acres Fire Protection District

The new Engine 1932 is a 1985 Ford C-8000/Pierce top-mount with a 1,250-GPM pump and 1,000 gallons of water, (Pierce so #E-2635). This is X-Plainfield FPD. Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

The other Ford from Country Club Hills was scrapped a few months ago, and was replaced by a 1986 Mack/Ward 79 pumper from Burbank, Illinois (X-Engine 208).

Homewood Acres Fire Protection District

Engine 1934 is a 1986 Mack CF-600/Ward '79 with a 1,250-GPM pump and 750 gallons of water. (Mack sn CF685FC-2242). This is X-Burbank FD Engine 208. Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

One of the pictures I sent is all three rigs lined up, makes for an interesting shot.

Homewood Acres Fire Protection District

The Homewood Acres FPD fleet as of May 29, 2012. Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

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Current use of old CFD firehouse

Steve Redick submitted several current images of a former Chicago Fire House. Located at 459 N. Wolcott, this is the former home of Engine Company 26 and Truck Company 7.

Former Chicago Fire Station

 

Former Chicago Fire Station

Former Chicago Fire Station

Former Chicago Fire Station

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CFD union not happy with proposed city cuts

This from Willam Post:

A Sun-Times article today talks about a dispute with the city administration on proposals set forth during contract negotiations. The proposal to make engines that are located with trucks into 4-man companies would effect 60 out of 95 engine companies, assuming that it doesn’t include Engines 91 and 116 that are housed only with Squad companies.
It also includes a proposal to make all 15 of our BLS ambulances into ALS ambulances.
The article can be found HERE.

Nearly four months after losing the hero fire commissioner who championed their cause, Chicago firefighters finally know what cost-cutting concessions Mayor Rahm Emanuel is seeking when their contract expires on June 30.

In a plan the firefighters union calls “insulting” and “ridiculous,” Emanuel is taking aim at such treasured union perks as holiday and duty availability pay; clothing allowances; pay grades; premium pay; the physical fitness incentive and the seven percent premium paid to cross-trained firefighter paramedics.

One former union official estimated the proposed concessions could cost the average firefighter $7,000 a year.

The mayor’s plan does not include closing fire stations. But, it would alter the minimum manning requirement that triggered the bitter 1980 firefighters strike.

The current contract requires that every piece of fire apparatus be staffed by at least five employees. Emanuel’s plan calls for all “double houses” that include both engines and trucks to be staffed by nine firefighters instead of 10.

thanks Chris

The Chicago Tribune also has an article HERE.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Wednesday that a new contract for Chicago firefighters will need to include cost-cutting reforms to the way the department operates, but the union is vowing to fight the administration’s proposal.

The jockeying comes as the current firefighters’ contract lapses June 30. The firefighters union contends the city’s offer would eliminate several categories of additional pay and reduce the number of firefighters at some fire houses.

In a letter sent recently to union members, Firefighters Union Local 2 President Thomas Ryan called the proposals “insulting” and “ridiculous.”

Ryan’s letter states the city wants to eliminate various salary add-ons that increase firefighters’ take-home pay, including the clothing allowance and the 7 percent bump for employees cross-trained as firefighters and paramedics, along with the “duty availability” payments to firefighters, who are on call to work on their days off.

The city proposal also calls for cutting from 10 to nine the number of firefighters stationed in the “double houses” that have both fire engines and fire trucks, according to Ryan’s letter, which includes no mention of the city wanting to close firehouses.

My view is, I have a responsibility to all the people of the city of Chicago,” Emanuel said at a news conference to announce GE Transportation will move its headquarters here. “Not a few, not one part of the city, all the people of the city of Chicago. And I’ve got to make sure the taxpayers and the residents are represented. That’s my role.”

“I respect what Tom (Ryan) has to do, I respect what the members of the firefighters operations as a city employee have to do,” the mayor added. “But I’ve got to make sure we’re making the changes that are necessary for the future, and we’re not just doing things like we used to do them because we used to do them.”

Last year, then-Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff told aldermen he was “deathly against” reducing manpower and “adamant” about keeping truck staffing levels the same because lowering them would put residents and firefighters in danger.

But Hoff retired in February, and new Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago has taken a softer stance on the manpower issue. “There’s many, many different studies on what is safe and not,” Santiago said about staffing levels at his introductory news conference.

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2 extra alarm fires for DuPage County on 5-29-12

From John Tulipano:

Bloomingdale 2nd Alarm

On 5/29/12 approximately 15:00, Bloomingdale Fire District responded to a structure fire at 1839 Timber Lane, fire was in a 2-sty frame, 6-unit townhouse, 50X150. 2-units were involved, once fire was knocked down a gas leak continued and a 2nd alarm was called for manpower.

Townhouse fire in Bloomingdale 5-29-12

Firefighters apply water to the rear of a townhouse in Bloomingdale on Tuesday. John Tulipano photo

Townhouse fire in Bloomingdale 5-29-12

Bloomingdale Engine 3, their 2011 Pierce Impel pumper/tanker had lines off in front of the building. John Tulipano photo

Lombard Fire Department Tower Ladder 52

Lombard Tower Ladder 52 was staged down the block. John Tulipano photo

Townhouse fire in Bloomingdale 5-29-12

A Glenside firefighter goes through rehab at the Bloomingdale fire scene. John Tulipano photo

Townhouse fire in Bloomingdale 5-29-12

Carol Stream Deputy Chief Hoff at the Bloomingdale fire scene. John Tulipano photo

Additional images are HERE.

Villa Park Fire & EMS Box Alarm
On 5/29/12 at approxiamtely 18:30, Villa Park received calls for a fire at the Villa Park VFW hall, 39 East St Charles Road. First arriving companies found smoke coming from the building and multiple injured civilians. Two lines were stretched into the basement where there was a gun range and reported explosion. Ten civilians were transported, three were critical. Companies on the General were Elmhurst Eng 2, York Center Sqd 77, Lombard TL52, and Northlake Trk 804. An EMS box was called bringing ambulances from Lombard, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, Bensenville, Wood Dale, and Oakbrook Terrace. Fire was quickly knocked down in the basement.
Fire at the Villa Park VFW Hall 5-29-12

Firefighters prepare a line before entering the VFW Hall in Villa Park. John Tulipano photo

Fire at the Villa Park VFW Hall 5-29-12

A patient is taken to a waiting ambulance by Lombard paramedics. John Tulipano photo

Fire at the Villa Park VFW Hall 5-29-12

Firefighters mask up prior to entering the VFW hall in Villa Park to fight a basement fire. John Tulipano photo

Fire at the Villa Park VFW Hall 5-29-12

Paramedics take another patient to a waiting ambulance. John Tulipano photo

Additional images are HERE.
The Chicago Tribune has an article HERE.

Nine people were injured, two critically, in a fire and possible explosion at a Villa Park VFW post apparently ignited by a welder working in a basement gun range during the post’s weekly bingo night this evening, authorities said.

Firefighters were called to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2801, 32 E. St. Charles Road in the west suburb, about 6:30 for a report of a fire and an explosion in the building, said Lombard Fire Department Battalion Chief Ronald Rakosnik, who is set to become Villa Park’s fire chief next month.

Nine patients were taken to area hospitals, two in critical condition, three in fair-to-serious condition, and the rest in good condition, Rakosnik said.

When firefighters arrived, they found many of those who had been inside with faces blackened with soot, after the quick-moving fire spread through the one-story building, Rakosnik said. Heat from a fast-moving fire like that in the VFW can cause damage to the lungs, Rakosnik.

The fire luckily ignited before bingo had actually started for the night, so fewer people were in the hall at the time than would have been an hour later, said those who were inside at the time.

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Two departments move to DuComm

This from Drew Smith:

It was stated recently by firefighters from both Itasca and Wood Dale that both will soon be dispatched by DuComm with Wood Dale using new rig numbers of 68 and 69 and Itasca using 60-something.

I have confirmed that effective 5/31 at 0900 Itasca will switch to DuComm.  Itasca’s apparatus will use “66” for front-line units and “67” for reserve units.

Wood Dale is also switching to DuComm and will use 68 and 69 for their stations. Date of their switch is not confirmed.

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Chicago Fire Swap Meet

 

Chicago Fire Department 2012 Swap Meet

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Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire 5-29-12

The Chicago Tribune has an article about Tuesday’s 3-11 Alarm commercial fire on the city’s North Side.

Fire crews were called to the furniture store about 3:20 p.m. A 3-11 alarm, bringing more than 110 firefighters to the scene, was called by about 3:45 p.m., sending extra equipment as the fire got close to the tracks. The fire was under control about 6:30 p.m., but firefighters still were pouring water on the north side of the building about 6:45 p.m., according to Deputy Fire Cmsr. Michael Callahan.

The fire was finally out by about 9:45 p.m., but the building was considered unstable and fire officials were awaiting an expert opinion on whether the building would have to be demolished, accordign to Fire Media Affairs.

The complete article is HERE.

Steve Redick was at the scene and submitted several images.

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire 5-29-12 on Sheffield Avenue

Firefighters in Tower Ladder 21's bucket direct a master stream into a second floor window. Steve Redick photo

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire 5-29-12 on Sheffield Avenue Chicago Engine 22

Engine 22 was on the initial alarm and had a hydrant on Sheffield at Fullerton. Steve Redick photo

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire 5-29-12 on Sheffield Avenue Chicago Engine 55

Chicago Engine 55 was the first engine on the scene and took a hydrant across from the fire building. Steve Redick photo

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire 5-29-12 on Sheffield Avenue

The fire building was at the corner of Sheffield and Montana. This shot shows two multi-versals working as smoke pushes out of the first floor windows along Montana. Steve Redick photo

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire 5-29-12 on Sheffield Avenue

Tower Ladder 21 works the front of the building on Sheffield. Steve Redick photo

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire 5-29-12 on Sheffield Avenue

Overhead power lines and large trees forced Tower Ladder 21 to take a position that would allow them to get under the wires to hit the windows. Steve Redick photo

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire 5-29-12 on Sheffield Avenue

Squad 1, working from a spare apparatus, setup in the parking lot to deploy their Snorkel. Steve Redick photo

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire 5-29-12 on Sheffield Avenue

Engine 35 was on a hydrant around the corner. Steve Redick photo

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire 5-29-12 on Sheffield Avenue

Smoke pushes out of all windows on the first floor and the street is full of water as debris clogs the sewers. Steve Redick photo

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire 5-29-12 on Sheffield Avenue

Noxious brown smoke fills the streets around the fire building. Steve Redick photo

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire 5-29-12 on Sheffield Avenue

Against a dramatic backdrop of heavy smoke, Squad 1 uses a master stream from the Snorkel. Steve Redick photo

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire 5-29-12 on Sheffield Avenue

Except for the cab, the majority of Tower Ladder 10, also working with a spare, is concealed by heavy smoke and trees on this residential street. Steve Redick photo

More images can be viewed HERE.

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Rescue squad has three lives

 

Bill Friedrich sent this interesting history of a 1991 Ford/Sauber rescue squad.

These photos represent the three lives of this 1991 Ford C – Sauber. It started it’s career at the River Grove FD. Then it was sold to the Franklin Park FD. After Franklin Park had it for a few years, they sold it to the O’Fallon Underwater Search and Recovery Team in St.Clair County, IL.
River Grove Fire Department Rescue 564

River Grove Squad 564 was this 1991 Ford Cargo 8000/Sauber squad. Bill Friedrich photo

Franklin Park Fire Department Rescue 1

Former Franklin Park Rescue 1 was this 1991 Ford Cargo 8000/Sauber that was acquired from River Grove, IL. Bill Friedrich photo

O'FALLON UNDERWATER SEARCH AND RECOVERY TEAM

The O'Fallon Underwater Search and Recovery Team runs this 1991 Ford Cargo 8000/Sauber squad as Dive 1. This was formerly Rescue 1 in Franklin Park and before that it was Squad 564 in River Grove. John Fijal photo

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4th Annual Golf Tournament for NFFF

From Glenside Fire Protection District Deputy Chief James L. Larsen

Good morning,

Here is information about our 4th Annual Golf Tournament to benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. I hope you will consider sponsoring or golfing in this charity event that raises money for the families of firefighters killed in the line of duty. Please feel free to share this information with friends, family, and co-workers. There are still golf and sponsorship opportunities available however we are already over half sold out. I hope to see you on Friday July 20, 2012!

Glenside FPD Charity Golf Outing for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Glenside FPD Charity Golf Outing for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

 

 

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New Ambulances coming to Darien-Woodridge

The Darien-Woodridge FPD is expecting delivery of two new ambulances in the fall. Moving away from the medium-duty chassis, they have ordered two Type I units on Ford F-Series chassis from Medtec. Both units will be painted red.

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