Archive for October 2nd, 2012

CFD 5-11 Alarm fire 9-30-12 (update 5)

Oct 2

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire | 1 Comment

Steve Redick was perhaps the first photographer to the scene and submitted several images from the early stages of the fire once it vented.

Chicago Fire Department 5-11 alarm massive warehouse fire 9-30-12 at 2620 W. Nelson

Companies on Barry ladder the building behind the fire building to gain access. Steve Redick photo

Silhouette of the firemen. Steve Redick photo

Heavy fire shows from the north side of the warehouse building. Steve Redick photo

Tower Ladder 21 gets into position on Barry. Steve Redick photo

Thick smoke pushes out of the south and east sides of the building. Steve Redick photo

Engine 106 in front of the building before it was repositioned at the corner. Steve Redick photo

9-2-3, the mobile ventilation unit was put to work at one of the loading docks on Nelson. Steve Redick photo

Smoke pushes ot of a second floor window as 9-2-3 works below it. Steve Redick photo

A view from the south west corner of the warehouse building shows heavy smoke venting from multiple windows on all floors. Steve Redick photo

Engine 56 pumping at the corner of Nelson and Elston Avenue. Steve Redick photo

A gallery with more images can be found HERE.

More coverage of the fire is HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Tags: 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, Chicago Engine 106, Chicago MVU 9-2-3, Chicago Tower 21, Chicago Tower Ladder 21, heavy fire burning, heavy fire in a commercial building, major warehouse fire on Nelson in Chicago, Mobile Ventilation Unit works at warehouse fire, Steve Redick, warehouse fire on Nelson in Chicago 9-30-12

Retired Warrenville FPD Chief Cliff Johnson

Oct 2

Posted by bgshap in Fire Service News | 1 Comment

Clifford A. Johnson, Age 84, Late of Warrenville, IL, At Rest 10/01/2012. Clifford was born on March 05, 1928 and passed-away yesterday. Cliff was the Retired Fire Chief of The Warrenville Fire Protection District having been a member from 1961-1994. He was made chief in 1971 and was the district’s first full-time employee in 1978.

“He was a gentle-soul with a heart as big as this world. The world was a better place because Chief Johnson was in it; my world was better for having had the pleasure of knowing such a wonderful man. I will miss my friend, and hope to see him again soon. Rest In Peace Chief Clifford Johnson, your duty is done, we’ve got it from here. 3-3-5.”

Services for Cliff Johnson are as follows:

Visitation on Thursday, October 4, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3S460 Curtis Avenue from 9:00 am to 11 am

immediately followed by the service at 11 am, and a walk to the fire station behind the Patriot Guard.

According to the family’s wishes, the city has made a donation to Trinity Lutheran Church.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Johnson family during this time of mourning.

Ana Vainisi

Executive Assistant/Deputy City Clerk

City of Warrenville

Tags: Clifford A. Johnson, retire fire chief passes away, Warrenville Fire Protection District

CFD honors fallen firefighters

Oct 2

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News, Reader submission | Comments off

Although the 5-11 occupied many in the CFD on Sunday and commanded the majority of news coverage, Sunday was also when the CFD honored their fallen.

From WGNtv.com:

Chicago firefighters remembered their own Sunday.

Firefighters and their families attended the 13th annual memorial service held at the Monument of the Chicago Firefighters Union Local #2 at Rosehill Cemetery.

The service was in memory of active and retired fire fighters and paramedics who died in the line of duty or passed away in the last 12 months.

thanks Chris

Tags: CFD honors fallen firefighters, Chicago Fire Department, Monument of the Chicago Firefighters Union Local #2

Chicago 5-11 Alarm 9-30-12 (update 4)

Oct 2

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Service News | 2 Comments

Lee Hogan from Aerials Shots by Lee has submitted several very interesting images of the fire scene at 2620 W. Nelson during the morning hours (roughly 9 hours into the incident).

Looking south from Barry Avenue. Lee Hogan photo

View from the north over Barry Avenue looking south east. Lee Hogan photo

Looking down from Nelson and Rockwell. Lee Hogan photo

Looking downward from Rockwell and Barry. Lee Hogan photo

Another view from roughly Rockwell and Barry looking south west. Lee Hogan photo

View of the entire block looking south west from roughly Belmont and the river. Lee Hogan photo

Reserve Snorkel 1 (6-6-1), Tower Ladder 21, and Engine 112 on Barry Avenue behind the complex of buildings. Lee Hogan photo

Looking east at the entire neighborhood. Lee Hogan photo

More coverage of the fire is HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Tags: 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, Aerial shots by Lee, fire scene photography, Lee Hogan, major warehouse fire on Nelson in Chicago, warehouse fire on Nelson in Chicago 9-30-12

Chicago 5-11 Alarm 9-30-12 (update 3)

Oct 2

Posted by bgshap in Fire, Fire Service News, Fire Truck photos | Comments off

Tim Olk submitted several images from the 5-11 on Sunday as the events progressed to demolition.

Chicago Fire Department 5-11 alarm fire 9-30-12 on Nelson

Tim Olk photo

Chicago Fire Department 5-11 alarm fire 9-30-12 on Nelson Snorkel

Tim Olk photo

Tim has an extensive gallery of images HERE.

More coverage of the fire is HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Tags: 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, Chicago Snorkel Squad, major warehouse fire on Nelson in Chicago, Tim Olk, warehouse fire on Nelson in Chicago 9-30-12, wrecking company takes down warehouse after massive fire

Chicago 5-11 Alarm 9-30-12 (update 2)

Oct 2

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Reader submission | 5 Comments

Chicago 5-11 Alarm fire 9-30-12 run down of units at the scene

Chuck Mankin was at the 5-11 and submitted several images.

Chuck Mankin photo

Chick Mankin photo

Chuck Mankin photo

More of his images can be found HERE.

Tags: 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, Chicago 5-11 Club Support Service Unit, Chuck Mankin

Chicago unions upset by inspector general

Oct 2

Posted by bgshap in Fire Service News | 6 Comments

The Chicago Sun-Times has an article which describes Chicago Police and Fire union responses to proposals by the Chicago inspector general:

Police and fire unions on Thursday torched a $1.2 billion roadmap from the city’s inspector general that calls for reducing staffing levels on fire apparatus, converting 20 percent of all engines and trucks to ambulances, staffing the Fire Prevention Bureau with civilians and eliminating “non-salary compensation” for firefighters and police officers.

Tom Ryan, president of the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2, said Inspector General Joe Ferguson’s “far-fetched” suggestions would “most certainly endanger the lives” of Chicago residents, employees and visitors as well as his own members.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends that a minimum of five firefighters staff each piece of fire apparatus in high-target areas, which includes Chicago, a densely-populated city with “high-rise buildings, special needs facilities, industrial and manufacturing districts and numerous hazardous materials-producing institutions,” Ryan said.

Fraternal Order of Police President Mike Shields was equally incensed by the $144.4 million proposal to eliminate “non-salary compensation” and by Ferguson’s proposal to hire civilians for the Chicago Police Department’s Forensic and Administrative Services Bureaus ($6.7 million).

The entire article can be found HERE.

Tags: Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2, Chicago Inspector General, Chicago police and fire unions decry cost cutting proposals