Archive for November, 2012

Worker dies in chemical tank in Wheeling – update 3

Nov 30

Posted by Admin in Fire Service News | Comments off

More images still depicting the confined space recovery of a worker Thursday in Wheeling.

Worker dies in chemical tank in Wheeling

Tech team members make preparations for the recovery. Tim Olk photo

An overview of the tanks and the recovery operation. Tim Olk photo

Worker dies in chemical tank in Wheeling - update 2

Several technical rescue team members confer on top of the storage tank. Larry Shapiro photo

The rigging is setup from the tower ladder. Larry Shapiro photo

Firefighters go over their action plan and check their equipment. Larry Shapiro photo

A firefighter is readied for entry into the tank. Larry Shapiro photo

A firefighter is lowered into the storage tank. Larry Shapiro photo

The firefighter is now inside the storage tank. Larry Shapiro photo

Several firefighters stand by as one team member attaches a harness on the victim so he can be removed from the noxious tank. Larry Shapiro photo

An overview of the scene and fire apparatus in the company parking lot. Larry Shapiro photo

The scene has been setup for the victim to be removed to the decon area and then into the awaiting ambulance. Larry Shapiro photo

Tags: confined space rescue in Wheeling, decontamination unit, firefighter is lowered into storage tank to retrieve the victim, firefighters recover body of worker from chemical storage tank, Larry Shapiro, MABAS 1 DECON unit, photos of confined space rescue, Schaumburg Squad 55, technical rescue, technical rescue team, Tim Olk, Wheeling Fire Department, worker dies in chemical tank in Wheeling

Worker dies in chemical tank in Wheeling – update 2

Nov 30

Posted by Admin in Fire Service News | 6 Comments

More images from the confined space rescue in Wheeling 11-29-12. Previous posts are HERE and HERE.

confined space recovery of worker from chemical storage tank in Wheeling IL 11-29-12

Decon 1 arrives at the scene and is backed into position . Larry Shapiro photo

Decon 1 from Arlington Heights. Tim Olk photo

Firefighters setup the decon area. Larry Shapiro photo

Additional members of the technical rescue team arrive. Tim Olk photo

Schaumburg Squad 55 and 55A arrive at the scene. Larry Shapiro photo

The contractor’s truck. Larry Shapiro photo

A firefighter examines the what might be used as the anchor point for the recovery ropes. Larry Shapiro photo

Members of the technical rescue team suit up for the recovery. Larry Shapiro photo

Tags: confined space rescue in Wheeling, decontamination unit, firefighters recover body of worker from chemical storage tank, Larry Shapiro, MABAS 1 DECON unit, photos of confined space rescue, Schaumburg Squad 55, technical rescue, technical rescue team, Tim Olk, Wheeling Fire Department, worker dies in chemical tank in Wheeling

Harvey FD Full Still 11-26-12

Nov 30

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

This delayed post from Brad Steinweg:

Pictures from Harvey’s full still at 14629 Green ST

–Brad S.

Glenwood FD

Brad Steinweg photo

Tags: Brad Steinweg, fire hydrant, fire hydrant with water leaking, house fire in Harvey IL

Worker dies in chemical tank in Wheeling – update 1

Nov 30

Posted by Admin in Fire Service News, Firefighters working | Comments off

This is the first of several updates which will depict the confined space recovery operation Thursday at the Sunnyside Corporation industrial accident where a worker was overcome by methylene chloride fumes in an outside storage tank. Tim Olk and Larry Shapiro were at the scene for much of the operation.

The first images are from Larry Shapiro who arrived shortly after the first Wheeling fire companies and the determination was made that the operation would be a recovery and not a rescue.

Worker dies in storage tank in Wheeling IL 11-29-12

A Wheeling lieutenant on top of the tank dons his self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Larry Shapiro photo

Workers standby and await word about the fate of their co-worker trapped inside the storage tank in the corner. Larry Shapiro photo

A firefighter secures a smoke ejector to a rope so it can be hoisted to the top of the tank. Larry Shapiro photo

A firefighter prepares to setup the fan above the tank opening. Larry Shapiro photo

confined space rescue/recovery of worker overcome by toxic fumes in metal storage tank in Wheeling IL

The fan is hoisted to the top of the tank. Larry Shapiro photo

The tower ladder is positioned to be deployed as an anchor point above the storage tank when the recovery is made. Larry Shapiro photo

A technical rescue box alarm was initiated and on-scene units made preliminary preparations for the removal prior to the arrival of the supplemental technicians, equipment and supplies.

Tags: confined space rescue in Wheeling, firefighters recover body of worker from chemical storage tank, Larry Shapiro, photos of confined space rescue, technical rescue, technical rescue team, Tim Olk, Wheeling Fire Department, worker dies in chemical tank in Wheeling

Worker dies in chemical tank in Wheeling

Nov 29

Posted by Admin in Fire Service News | Comments off

A contractor hired to clean a large chemical storage tank at the Sunnyside Corporation, 225 Carpenter Avenue in Wheeling was overcome by fumes while inspecting the tank. Wheeling firefighters responded and determined that the worker was beyond the point of a rescue and initiated a recovery by the technical rescue team. A Box Alarm was requested bringing roughly 20 techs from area departments to the scene.

The body of the worker was removed from the tank roughly three hours after the initial alarm was requested.

Tim Olk and Larry Shapiro were at the scene and will have images plus a video.

In the meantime, media articles can be found HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Tags: firefighters recover body of worker from chemical storage tank, Larry Shapiro, technical rescue, Tim Olk, Wheeling Fire Department, worker dies in chemical tank in Wheeling

Chicago Still & Box Alarm fire 11-26-12

Nov 28

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Service News | 3 Comments

This from Steve Redick:

Monday about 1500 hrs, 5000 Bl of West Winona. Fire in 2 occupied frame dwellings…1 victim with significant burns. Companies had knocked down the main body of outside fire when I arrived, but I was able to observe what appeared to be significant fire in both attics. Eventually TL23 was used to knock down fire in the main fire building. This was a dead end street so the first due truck, 23 pulled into the block first and 79 then backed down and led out. Eng 69 had 2 lines from the street to the south, through a vacant lot and had a great shot to the rear of the buildings. I believe 94 ran into some sort of hydrant issue, and I’m not sure if they ever really got water. It appeared another engine went several hundred feet to the next block in an attempt to supply them.This was an interesting fire due to limited acess and proximity and involvement of exposures. Unusual to see this much fire at such a busy time of day.

All the photos will be on my site

www.ksc711.smugmug.com

Steve