Archive for May, 2012

Frankfort house fire 5-23-12

Karl Klotz took in a house fire last night in Frankfort.

From Karl:

House fire in Frankfort last night, 5/23/2012. Frankfort FPD box alarm for the house fire at 8303 Brickstone in Frankfort. Companies arrived to find a 2-story house well involved and communicating to the house to the west.

The Herald-News reports that:

The cause of a fire that destroyed a Frankfort home early Thursday is still under investigation.

Crews were called to the two-story house in the 8300 block of Brickstone Drive at about 11:48 p.m. Wednesday and found the home engulfed in flames, Frankfort Fire Battalion Chief Nick Peters said.

Firefighters had the fire under control within 45 minutes, but the home was a total loss, Peters said.

The fire also caused some exterior damage to the house next door, as well as natural gas leaks in both homes, according to Peters.

Frankfort FPD house fire 5-23-12 at 8303 Brickstone

B/C corner of the house. Karl Klotz photo

Frankfort FPD house fire 5-23-12 at 8303 Brickstone

Rear of the original fire building. Karl Klotz photo

Frankfort FPD house fire 5-23-12 at 8303 Brickstone

Another view from the rear showing damage to the west exposure. Karl Klotz photo

Frankfort FPD house fire 5-23-12 at 8303 Brickstone

After the fire is knocked down, the gas meter continues to burn while firefighters wait for the gas company. Karl Klotz photo

Frankfort FPD house fire 5-23-12 at 8303 Brickstone

The exposure to the west sustained significant damage. Karl Klotz photo

Tags: , , , , ,

Website department updates

Several long overdue updates to various department pages have been completed as follows:

thanks Karl, Hank, Jim, Nick, Larry, Drew, and Jeff

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The color of fire trucks (part 8) Division 6

This installment is from Bill Freidrich.

Eight fire departments in Dekalb County, MABAS Division 6, have had non-red fire apparatus and rescues over the years.

 

This was the only non-red vehicle in the  Cortland FD fleet.

Cortland Fire Department ambulance

The Cortland Fire Department ran this 1977/1982 Chevy/Horton Type I as Rescue 1751. Bill Friedrich photo

 

This Ward LaFrance/Hi-Ranger Snorkel was the only non-red rig in the Dekalb FD fleet. It was later sold to the Shabbona FPD and repainted white over red.

Dekalb Fire Department 1975 Ward LaFrance Hi-Ranger Snorkel

Dekalb had this lime yellow and white 85' Hi-Ranger built by Ward LaFrance in 1975. Bill Friedrich photo

Shabbona Fire Protection District 1975 Ward La France Hi-Ranger Snorkel

The Shabbona Fire Department, bought this 1975 Ward LaFrance (P80) 85' Hi-Ranger from Dekalb. Bill Friedrich photo

 

 

This squad was the only non-red unit for the Shabbona Fire Protection District.

Shabbona Fire Protection old fire truck

Shabbona had this 1975 Chevy Step-Van as Rescue 2516. It was their only piece that was not red. Bill Friedrich photo

 

 

For the Malta FPD, this was the only non-red unit in their fleet.
Malta Fire Protection District 1965 Dodge/Boyer mini-pumper

Malta ran this as Rescue 4. It was a 1965 Dodge/Boyer with a 250-GPM pump and 300 gallons of water. Bill Friedrich photo

At the Maple Park FPD, this was the only non-red rig in their house. It had been a show truck for Alexis.
Maple Park Fire Protection District Mack MC Alexis tanker

Maple Park bought this 1985 Alexis 2,750-gallon tanker on a Mack MC chassis which was built as a demonstrator/show truck. It had a 750-GPM pump and was the only non-red unit in Maple Park. Bill Friedrich photo

 

 

At the Genoa-Kingston FPD, everything today is all red. Previously though, the vehicles were all orange, red with a white paint job and white with a orange stripe.
Genoa-Kingston Fire Protection District Pierce Aerial-ETT

The Genoa-Kingston Fire Protection District used to run with a fleet that was all orange. One early unit was Engine 78, built by Pierce in 1978 on a Ford C-8000 chassis. It had a 750-GPM pump and carried 750 gallons of water. It also featured a 45' Aerial-ETT, an early aerial ladder design by Pierce. Bill Friedrich photo

The Kirkland FPD was all white. Today everything is they have is painted red.
Kirkland FPD (IL) 1961 GMC-Hower fire engine

When the Kirkland FPD ran with white apparatus, this front mounted pumper tanker from Howe was Tanker 2. It was built in 1961 on a GMC chassis. Bill Friedrich photo

The Waterman FPD apparatus is all red with the exception of this one unit.
Waterman FPD Ford McCoy Miller rescue squad

Waterman Rescue 1251, the only non-red unit in their fleet, was built in 1986 by McCoy-Miller on a Cord F-800 chassis. Bill Friedrich photo

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NATO Summit Radio Traffic

From Radioman911.com

All 4 days are great listening and many include video to reference the activities being handled. But day 3 is some of the most incredible audio that we have ever streamed on Radioman911.com and will be featured on the ABC7 Chicago 10 PM News tonight.
Chicago Police/Fire NATO Protest Recordings

Tags: , , ,

CFD Mobile Ambulance Bus 8-8-12

The Chicago Fire Department mobile ambulance bus has been spotted. Unit 8-8-12, carrying shop #S-144, was at the Quinn Fire Academy yesterday.

Chicago 8-8-12 Mobile Ambulance Bus

Chicago Mobile Ambulance Bus 8-8-12

 

Tags: , , ,

Fleet changes for Darien-Woodridge FPD

When the new aerial goes into service for the Darien-Woodridge FPD, it will culminate a large change in their fleet. Four units are or will be sold from the current roster. These include:

  • Truck 619 – 1992 Federal Motors Hurricane/EONE 1500/500 75′ quint
Darien-Woodridge FPD Truck 619

Darien-Woodridge Truck 619 as it looks today. Larry Shapiro photo

Darien-Woodridge FPD Truck 374

Darien-Woodridge Truck 374 as it looked shortly after delivery. Larry Shapiro photo

  • Squad 616 – 1984 Ford C8000/1985 EONE 250/250 MDR
Darien-Woodridge FPD EONE squad

Darien-Woodridge Squad 616 which is being sold. Karl Klotz photo

  • Engine 611 – 1990 EONE Cyclone 1500/1000
Darien-Woodridge Engine 611

Darien-Woodridge Engine 611 as it currently looks. Larry Shapiro photo

Darien-Woodridge FPD Engine 375

The 1990 EONE Cyclone engine when it was delivered as Engine 375. Larry Shapiro photo

Belmont Fire Protection District Oshkosh Howe engine

The Belmont Fire Protection District 1949 Oshkosh Howe engine. Bill Friedrich photo

Belmont Fire Protection District Oshkosh Howe engine

Another view of the Belmont Fire Protection District Oshkosh Howe engine. Bill Friedrich photo

Bill Friedrich provided this history on the How engine:

On Sunday 5/6/12, Belmont FPD Engine 388 was loaded onto a transport trailer for the final response to the Andy Leiderer fire truck museum in NY State. Grandma, as the engine was known, started its career in the Chicagoland area at the Oak Lawn FD in 1949. Later it was sold to the Argonne Labs FD in Darien. It is unknown when or how the Belmont FPD in Downers Grove acquired this vehicle. Even after the Darien-Woodridge FPD took over the Belmont station, Grandma still carried the Belmont lettering. Here is  a link to a video that shows the new home for Grandma.

 

Belmont Fire Protection District Oshkosh Howe engine

Belmont Engine 388 begins it's final journey. Bill Friedrich photo

Belmont Fire Protection District Oshkosh Howe engine

Engine 388 being secured to the lowboy trailer. Bill Friedrich photo

 

Belmont Fire Protection District Oshkosh Howe engine

The plaque on the engine. Bill Friedrich photo

Bill adds that:

The Pirsch that is also on the trailer is an x-Milwaukee FD pumper that a private collector in Hudson,WI sold to the museum.

Belmont Fire Protection District Oshkosh Howe engine

Belmont Engine 388 departing Darien-Woodridge Station 2 for the last time. Bill Friedrich photo

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Divers help remove car from pond in Vernon Hills 5-21-20

The Countryside Fire Protection District received calls Monday afternoon reporting a car accident at the intersection of Lakeview Parkway and North Fairway Drive in Vernon Hills. Witnesses said that one of the vehicles drove into a nearby retention pond and that the driver was still inside the vehicle. Divers were dispatched from the Libertyville Fire Department and the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District.

Countryside FPD crash sends car into pond in Vernon Hills 5-21-12

The roof and luggage rack of an SUV are visible in the middle of a retention pond at Lakeview Parkway and North Fairview Drive in Vernon Hills. Larry Shapiro photo

The driver was able to get out of the submerged vehicle and was sitting on the car’s roof when firefighters arrived. He reportedly made it out of the water with assistance from several passersby. Both drivers were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Countryside FPD crash sends car into pond in Vernon Hills 5-21-12 fire department divers

Fire department divers from Libertyville prepare to enter the water. Larry Shapiro photo

Divers went into the water to secure the SUV for Ernie’s Wrecker Service who was on the scene to remove both vehicles.

Countryside FPD crash sends car into pond in Vernon Hills 5-21-12 fire department divers

Divers secure a strap to the car so it can be winched out of the water. Larry Shapiro photo

Countryside FPD crash sends car into pond in Vernon Hills 5-21-12

An overview of the pond in relation to the intersection where the collision occurred. Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro submitted several images from the scene and a short video. More images can be viewed HERE and HERE.

 

Countryside FPD crash sends car into pond in Vernon Hills 5-21-12

The SUV is pulled from the water. Larry Shapiro photo

 

Countryside FPD crash sends car into pond in Vernon Hills 5-21-12

The Libertyville Dive Squad. Larry Shapiro photo

Countryside FPD crash sends car into pond in Vernon Hills 5-21-12

The other vehicle involved in the accident. Larry Shapiro photo

Countryside FPD crash sends car into pond in Vernon Hills 5-21-12

A firefighter washes off the dive gear. Larry Shapiro photo

Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Dive Squad and Rehab Unit

The new dive team unit for the Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD. Larry Shapiro photo

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

Industrial explosion in Arlington Heights 5-22-12

An explosion at Arens Controls, 3602 N. Kennicott Ave., in Arlington Heights this morning killed one worker and injured several others. An EMS Box Alarm was requested for additional ambulances to treat workers and police officers. Ambulances responded from Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Palatine, and Prospect Heights to assist Arlington Heights companies.

Explosion in Arlington Heights kills one and injures 10

Ambulances stage along Kennicott Avenue prior to transporting patients to area hospitals. Larry Shapiro photo

Several articles on the incident are available.

The Chicago Tribune reports that:

One person died and 10 others were injured when a machine exploded inside an Arlington Heights building, releasing chemical fumes, officials said.

Fire officials said the fumes posed no danger to nearby residents in the 3600 block of North Kennicott Avenue, but the force of the blast propelled rocks from the roof into a parking lot, damaging 20 cars.

Firefighters received a call about 9 a.m. about an explosion at Arens Controls, a company at 3602 N. Kennicott Ave. that according to its website makes parts for hybrid vehicles, said Arlington Heights Fire Chief Glenn Ericksen.

Police officers arriving at the building found it filled with smoke, Ericksen said. They also found one Arens employee who had died in the blast, he said.

Ten people — seven Arens employees and three police officers — were sent to a hospital with respiratory distress, Ericksen said. Their injuries did not appear life-threatening.

The explosion occurred in a machine that used a diluted form of potassium hydroxide, a chemical that according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has the potential to ignite combustible materials if mixed with water or other substances, Ericksen said.

The complete Tribune article is HERE, along with additional coverage HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Larry Shapiro went to the scene and submitted a few images.

Explosion in Arlington Heights kills one and injures 10

Buffalo Grove firefighters check the roof for damage from the explosion. Larry Shapiro photo

Explosion in Arlington Heights kills one and injures 10

Company workers outside the building await instructions from management. Larry Shapiro photo

Explosion in Arlington Heights kills one and injures 10

Arlington Heights engines 2 and 4 responded along with Squad 2 and Buffalo Grove Tower 25. Larry Shapiro photo

Explosion in Arlington Heights kills one and injures 10

Paramedics inside Wheeling Ambulance 23 and Palatine Ambulance 82 treat patients prior to transporting them to the hospital. Larry Shapiro photo

A few additional images can be found HERE.

Tags: , , ,

New area Pierce engines

Several readers have brought to our attention that two area fire departments are newly represented on the Pierce Flickr site.

Pierce Impel PUC for Norwood Park Fire Department

Pierce Arrow XT PUC for Beecher Fire Protection District

The new engine for Beecher was featured at the end of April HERE with a photo by Karl Klotz at the department.

thanks Al, Bill, Josh, and Keith

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

New engine coming to Homer Township

There will be several changes to the Homer Township apparatus fleet in the coming months. Several units will be leaving the department and a new engine is on order.

  • On order is a stainless steel E-ONE Typhoon for Engine 32. Expected in July, it will have a 1,500-GPM pump and a 1,000-gallon water tank.

Three units are leaving the department including:

  • Tanker 34, a 1984 Spartan Gladiator/Pierce 1250/2500 pumper/tanker
Homer Township FPD Engine 34 Spartan Pierce pumper tanker

The tanker as it looked before being taken out of service. Karl Klotz photo

Homer Township FPD Engine 6823 Spartan Pierce pumper tanker

Perviously the unit carried the umber 6823. Larry Shapiro photo

Homer Township FPD Tanker 827 Spartan Pierce pumper tanker

When the tanker was delivered, it had open jump seats, was painted lime green, and was lettered for Tanker 827. Larry Shapiro photo

 

  • Truck 32, a 1995 Pierce Lance 105′ rear mount aerial ladder truck 0/0

 

Homer Township FPD Truck 32 1995 Pierce Lance 105' aerial

  • Engine R3 a 2003 Pierce Saber top-mount 1250/750 pumper

Homer Township FPD Engine R3 2006 Pierce Saber

Tags: , , , , , ,