Archive for July 8th, 2012

Buffalo Grove 2nd Alarm Prairie Fire 7-8-12

The Buffalo Grove Fire Department responded to calls reporting a fire in the prairie behind 441 Cedar Street. Fire companies found strong winds pushing the field fire into tall cattails and an easement for the electric company lines. The alarm was elevated to a Code 4 for the working fire and followed by a Box Alarm and then a 2nd Alarm for additional companies. The access for fire crews was vast and spread out over several blocks requiring many companies that setup in at least seven locations throughout the neighborhoods.

Buffalo Grove, Palatine, Prospect Heights, and the Countryside FPD all deployed engines with deck guns. Three aerials were positioned as well with the ability to place elevated master streams into operations if the need arose. Structure protection was put into place in several locations as the fires came within 50 feet of at least four different homes.

Departments assisting Buffalo Grove included Arlington Heights, Prospect Heights, Deerfield, Long Grove, Palatine, Countryside, Mundelein, Highwood, Lake Zurich, Grayslake, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Wheeling, Northfield, Highland Park, Barrington, Lake Forest, and Libertyville.

Larry Shapiro, Tim Olk, and Dan McInerney all took in the fire and will have images from the scene.

Large brush fire in Buffalo Grove 7-8-12

Tim Olk photo

Large brush fire in Buffalo Grove 7-8-12

Dan McInerney photo

Large brush fire in Buffalo Grove 7-8-12

Dan McInerney photo

Large brush fire in Buffalo Grove 7-8-12

Larry Shapiro photo

Large brush fire in Buffalo Grove 7-8-12

Larry Shapiro photo

Large brush fire in Buffalo Grove 7-8-12

Larry Shapiro photo

Large brush fire in Buffalo Grove 7-8-12

Larry Shapiro photo

Large brush fire in Buffalo Grove 7-8-12

Larry Shapiro photo

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Chicago 2-11 Alarm Fire 7-8-12

This from Eric Haak about this morning’s 2-11 in the city:

Just before 04:43 hrs, Chicago Fire Department Engine 47 and Truck 30 pulled up to find fire showing from the first floor of a 3-story, 75×100, mixed occupancy building at 6427 S. Cottage Grove.  Within two minutes, Battalion 17 called for the Still & Box and reported that the stairs leading to the upper floors had been compromised.  Access to the second and third floors had to be made via ground ladders.  At 04:50 hrs, Battalion 17 called for the 2-11 as fire vented from the roof and jeopardized the rear porches.  Things were brought under control relatively quickly after that and the 2-11 Alarm was struck at 05:18.

Chicago Fire Department apartment building 2-11 alarm fire 6427 S. Cottage Grove 7-8-12

Engine 63 in front of the fire building. Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Department apartment building 2-11 alarm fire 6427 S. Cottage Grove 7-8-12

Truck 30 and Truck 16 with their aerials to the roof. Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Department apartment building 2-11 alarm fire 6427 S. Cottage Grove 7-8-12

The interior stairs were compromised, so access to the upper floors was via ground ladders. Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Department apartment building 2-11 alarm fire 6427 S. Cottage Grove 7-8-12

Engine 47 was the first engine on the scene. Eric Haak photo

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CFD Apparatus History – trucks with boosters 1968

As a follow-up to the recent article about the 1968 Mack CF/Pirsch 100-foot aerials with booster tanks, Bill Freidrich submitted these replications of Pirsch literature featuring a Chicago unit.

Vintage brochure from Peter Pirsch & Sons Company featuring a Chicago ladder truck

Vintage brochure from Peter Pirsch & Sons Company featuring a Chicago ladder truck. Bill Friedrich collection

Vintage brochure from Peter Pirsch & Sons Company featuring a Chicago ladder truck

Another page of the brochure showing the aerial raised and the jacks deployed. Bill Friedrich collection

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