The Chicago Fire Department had a confined space rescue early this morning for a man who fell into a large chimney at the Intercontinental Hotel on North Michigan Avenue.
A man trying to take a photo from the top of the Intercontinental Hotel on Michigan Avenue died after falling 22 feet down a smokestack, authorities said.
It took rescue crews four hours to remove the 23-year-old man from Minnesota, at one point cutting through a wall and wedging boards in the chute to keep him from falling farther down.
Rescue crews responded to the hotel at 505 N. Michigan Ave. around 1:10 a.m. after someone called and reported that a person threatening to jump from the roof. Firefighters later learned the man fell down the smokestack, according to Fire Department spokeswoman Meg Ahlheim.
A “confined space rescue” was called, bringing 30 companies and about 125 firefighters and paramedics to the scene.
They discovered that the man had fallen 22 feet down a 6-foot wide smokestack and was wedged where the chute angled before dropping 42 floors, Ahlheim said. Crews cut into the wall and used wood boards to block the man from falling any farther, she said.
“We had to send members from the top down on ropes to assess his condition. The whole time we’re monitoring the situation for toxic gases,” said Special Operations Chief Michael Fox. “We found the best way to get out him was to go about two floors below, and we had to cut the duct work for the chimney, which was made out of steel. And eventually we ended up sliding the victim down into the hole and removing him from the building.”
The man was able to communicate with his girlfriend, either with phone calls or text messages, Ahlheim said, but firefighters lost contact with him around 3:15 a.m.
The entire article and a video segment is HERE.
thanks Chris
#1 by danny on December 17, 2012 - 5:24 PM
i don’t know why but i know that and always type 2-7-9, my bad guys
#2 by Dennis on December 17, 2012 - 11:48 AM
2-7-9 is NOT the tunnel rig at Engine 91’s house. 2-7-9 is the major incident command van kept at 39th St. The tunnel rig at Engine 91’s house is 5-2-6, which is taken to incidents by Engine 91. (1 person is assinged to drive it a day when its called for)
#3 by danny on December 17, 2012 - 12:33 AM
we were talking about the tunnel resuce rig 2-7-9 at 91’s quarters i thought it was cross staffed by the engine or the squad since it is a specialty company
#4 by scott on December 16, 2012 - 5:44 PM
Answering numerous posts:
Tech rescue incidents require significant manpower and many trained rescuers. Most tech rescue incidents are also governed by OSHA (not just NFPA recommendations) and certain guidelines must be met and followed. In regards to CFD’s incident, the squads would usually have the actual certified technician level personnel for the specialty team incident supplements by personnel on various truck and possibly engine companies. This incident, as many previous comments have said, was very labor intensive with many factors to consider (ie: if a cut is made what will be the consequences to the structual integrity, etc) Personnel may be working in extreme conditions and it is vital to have enough techs ready to rotate or for the needed support rolls. It’s not just as simple as sending a guy down on a rope and pulling the victim up.
In regards to 2-7-2, this is a staffed command van as are 2-7-1, 2-7-3, 2-7-4, & 2-7-8. Eng 91 would not be bringing it, and Squad 2 would also certainly not be assigned to this vehicle. The rundown and radio traffic show 2-7-1. Was 2-7-2 there instead?
Not unusual for 2 squad companies. All bonafide tech rescue incidents in CFD get two. Any MAYDAY RIT activation also gets 2. Any need of the Incident Commander where he wants a 2nd suaqd, it is special called.
As far as Hazmat 5-1-2, is the address of the incident in 5-1-2’s response area? I haven’t checked, but you can check the maps on the blog that establishes the response districts for each Hazmat Squad. Or 5-1-1 could have been out on a another call?
The squads, while two physical pieces of eqiupment, always run together (yes, they may be blocks apart). Where-ever the tool box goes, the Snorkel goes. The only Snorkel that runs alone is the Reserve Snorkel (6-6-1) which is brought by the engine from the firehouse it is at, unless that engine is out, then the truck, and if the truck is gone, another company will be assigned to pick up 6-6-1.
#5 by scott on December 16, 2012 - 5:34 PM
I can answer some of your questions:
1. Could you tell me the equipment and how many personnel are on duty for the “tunnel rescue” (5-2-6) response ? The special units are brought by either in-service fire companies or from the Special Operations location which houses the apparatus. From what I last understood, at least two members of CFD are assigned there to drive the vehicles.
3. Could you tell me the purpose (when he responding?) of the special operations (Ford Van) 5-6-2? Various tech rescue equipment (USAR). Seeing hose on top, probably equipment to dewater.
4. Could you tell me the purpose of the 5-6-5 (fmr ambo)? This vehicle used to carry the airbags.
5. Could you tell me the purpose of the 5-6-6 (box truck)? What we find in the truck? More Tech Rescue Equipment (USAR). Special Operations Division, 39th & Honore, Chicago.
6. What we find in the 5-6-7 special operations POD 2? What is her purpose? More Tech Rescue (USAR) equipment following the US FEMA model for a drop pod.
8. Could you confirm me that you have 3 helicopters “air sea rescue” ? Because I always see 2 of them (1 and 2, but not the 3rd). I have only heard of 2 helos.
9. About these helicopters, do you have a “fuel tender” to supply the helicopter during an emergency? Example, an helico battle a brush fire, and a fuel tender go on the scene to supply the helicopter with kerosene? No water tanker drop capabilities for Chicago FD helos. They are used for Air-Sea rescue and observation of fires. If they need to refuel they go back to an airport or their headquarters.
10. The CFD has any “fuel tender” to re-fuel the engines company during a big fire, and during a large use of pump system? City of Chicago Fleet management has fuel trucks that frequently come out to extra alarm fires.
11. Could you confirm me the turret wagon are just the water cannon? Yes, water canons on them only.
12. Could you tell me the purpose of the Deluge Unit? Same as a turret wagon. Just to have a vehicle with over 1000gpm capability on a master stream (deluge gun).
13. Could you confirm me that you have 5 light wagon, to provide light (and power?) supply? Last I had heard only three functioning light wagons. Maybe another person on the list can confirm. They have on-board generators for light towers on the vehicle and to run other power needs if needed.
#6 by Ricardo on December 15, 2012 - 10:41 AM
Hello all !
I spoke with the webmaster of this website and he advice me to post my question as a comment on this blog.
I would like to ask a few questions about CFD.
Sorry for my bad english, but I speak french.
In advance, thanks a lot for you reply.
1. Could you tell me the equipment and how many personnel are on duty for the “tunnel rescue” (5-2-6) response ?
2. I know that the air bag unit (I think we find 3 in Chicago) are the “jump bag” in case of suicidal people or jumper in case of hi-rise fire. Do you have any photo of the inside of the unit ?
3. Could you tell me the purpose (when he responsing ?) of the special operations (Ford Van) 5-6-2 ?
4. Could you tell me the purpose of the 5-6-5 (fmr ambo) ?
5. Could you tell me the purpose of the 5-6-6 (box truck) ? What we find in the truck ?
6. What we find in the 5-6-7 special operations POD 2 ? What is her purpose ?
7. I know the CFD has 4 mass casualty unit. Could you tell me what kind of material and tools we find in these 4 unit ?
8. Could you confirm me that you have 3 helicopters “air sea rescue” ? Because I always see 2 of them (1 and 2, but not the 3rd).
9. About these helicopters, do you have a “fuel tender” to supply the helicopter during an emergency ? Exemple, an helico battle a brush fire, and a fuel tender go on the scene to supplie the helicopter with kerosene ?
10. The CFD has any “fuel tender” tu re-fuel the engines company during a big fire, and during a large use of pump system ?
11. Could you confirm me the turret wagon are just the water cannon ?
12. Could you tell me the purpose of the Deluge Unit ?
13. Could you confirme me that you have 5 light wagon, he provide light (and power ?) supply ?
In advance, thanks you VERY VERY much for you reply, and thanks for the time you spend to reply me.
Have a good day !
Ricardo,
from Belgium Fire Department.
#7 by Drew Smith on December 14, 2012 - 7:08 PM
I am not a CFD member but having been involved with technical rescue for more than twenty years I would offer this perspective: CFD Special Ops Chief Fox stated in media interviews that they had to breach a wall and install wood to prevent the victim from sliding down farther. He also reported that they had to have members descend from above to assess the victim. Chief Fox reported the victim was at the level of the 40-something floor. With that all said, I would assume the logistics of moving equipment vertically, running three operations (wall breach, rope work into chimney, and lowering operation off of chimney) plus EMS for members, decon potential from chimney ashes, and other associated command and support needs, would require a large number of both FFs trained as rescue techs and FFs for support. In a suburban operation a special teams call out would yield about 20-30 techs plus fire companies for support and EMS.
A typical confined space ops will require:
1 Rescue branch director
2 Haz Mat specialist is confined space has Haz Mat inside
3 & 4 Ventilation group (blower operator and air monitor operator)
5-11 Decon group (supervisor with at least six members to operate decon)
12-14 Rehab group (supervisor with at least two members to operate rehab and medically monitor entrants)
15 & 16 ALS ambulance standing by for entrants (this is in addition to one ambulance per victim)
16-20 Entry group (supervisor, entrant, and one attendant for each entrant. Assume a minimum of two entrants initially)
21-25 Stand-by/RIT group (same as entry group)
26-29 Additional entrants to replace those inside space when their work cycle ends and work is not completed (assume four techs)
30-35 Other members to help move equipment, assist with haul systems, air lines, cascade, run/fuel generators, etc. (assume six members)
36 Safety officer for technical operations
Total: 36 minimum
And this would be one operation.
In addition to this you will most likely have:
1 IC
1 other command post person (aide, plans chief, senior adviser)
1 incident safety officer
The chief and/or deputy/assistant chiefs of the jurisdiction
At least one ambulance with 2 paramedics for each victim
At least two fire companies, probably more
Other scene support equipment for operations outside the technical rescue zone
Canteen
CFD’s scene probably had at least three operations.
Manpower gets used up quickly in these events.
The problem is it is necessary but most of it is not sexy.
Only a few get to be lowered on line. Most others support the operation.
#8 by danny on December 14, 2012 - 5:34 PM
i knew it was one of the two thanks bill
#9 by Sebastian on December 14, 2012 - 5:31 PM
Dumb question!!!! But does the box squad or the snorkle ever run alone??
#10 by Sebastian on December 14, 2012 - 5:29 PM
Isn’t 5-1-2. Staged out of Ohare??? Also interesting how command had 2 squads dispatched!!
#11 by Bill Post on December 14, 2012 - 12:26 PM
Danny you are confusing the Deep Tunnel Rescue Van (526) with the large Special Operations Command Van (279). Squad 2’s sub specialty is deep tunnel rescues, and the incident was probably treated as this type of rescue. On tunnel type incidents, Chicago normally will dispatch two squads, one of which is Squad 2 (with the Deep tunnel Van). The large Special Operations Command Van (279) resembles the Deep Tunnel Rescue Van as they are both built on the same type of Freightliner chassis. Even though having two Squads on an incident isn’t that common, they also have a second squad dispatched on a Mayday (fireman in distress) signal. Of course a second squad can always be special called to the scene by the Incident Commander.
#12 by FF5 on December 14, 2012 - 2:49 AM
Here are the companies I heard on the radio, listening to the first 1 hour and 45 minutes of the incident:
Engine Company’s 5, 14, 42
Aerial Tower 1, Truck 2, Truck 3, Tower Ladder 10, Truck 19
Squad 1/1a, Squad 2/2a
ALS Ambulance 11, ALS 42
Battalion Chief 1, Batt. Chief 3
Assist. Dep. Fire Commisioner – Command of Special Operations 2-1-9
Deputy District Chief 2-2-1
Command Van 2-7-1
EMS Field Officer 4-5-1
Hazardous Incident Team 5-1-2
Special Operations Battalion Chief 5-1-5
Special Operations Chief 5-2-0
(Do I have 5-1-5 and 5-2-0 ID’d correctly?)
Collapse Rescue 5-2-1, 5-2-2 (the “Lumber Truck”)
Special Operations Unit 5-6-1
Air Mask Truck 6-4-5
There are 25 units, or companies, right there. There may have been more that I did not hear on the radio traffic recordings, since I have not listened to all of them as of now.
#13 by danny on December 14, 2012 - 1:53 AM
that means squad 2 brings the command van from their quaters not engine 91
#14 by Fred from SS-1 on December 13, 2012 - 7:49 PM
See you tube ….lots of rigs and explanation from media affairs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU_1U_2RsHo
#15 by Drew G on December 13, 2012 - 5:27 PM
Both Squad 1 and 2 were on scene, I can’t remember seeing 2 squad companies at one incident in recent years.
#16 by danny on December 13, 2012 - 4:39 PM
well if the companies that house some of the specialty rigs, the tunnel and collapse rescue, command van from 91 would be there with 91, and then the collapse rescue would be there with engine 5 or truck 2, and then the companies from soc, and an ambulance or 2 and then a collapse rescue response i’d assume
#17 by DMc77 on December 13, 2012 - 4:35 PM
I imagine the 30 fire companies number came from the number of rigs on the street. From the news footage it looked like a still in a high rise response, mixed together with a confined space, level one hazmat, collapse and RIT response. It looked like they brought out all of their Special Ops units, that along with the companies that bring them, a few ambulances and chiefs cars could add up to 30. I’m hoping someone will post an accurate rundown here
#18 by Mike McAuliffe on December 13, 2012 - 2:38 PM
30 fire companies? What does a confined space response like that really consist of? Thanks in advance for any replies.