Archive for March, 2013

Illinois State Trooper Killed on I-294 3-28-13

An Illinois State Tropper was killed last night after a tractor-trailer combination slammed into his stationary car along the inside shoulder of the southbound Tri-State (I294) Tollway roughly half a mile south of Willow Road. The Glenview Fire Department received the dispatch after 11PM. Updated calls reported a truck on top of a police car with fire and a trapped occupant. The response was upgraded to include units from Northbrook. Upon arrival, the Glenview companies found heavy fire involving the truck’s tractor and the car. A request was made to get Prospect Heights Tanker 9 to the scene for additional water. Other Glenview units entered the Allstate property along the west side of the highway. They cut through the fence and stretched a line across the highway to a hydrant.

The truck’s driver was transported to Lutheran General Hospital with burns to his hands, reportedly from attempts at rescuing the trooper, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The patrol car was transported to the Cook County Morgue, where Chicago firefighters worked to separate the remains from the car as Illinois State Police and Chicago Police officers stood by.

Glenview Fire Department Engine 8

Glenview Engine 8 was the first unit on the scene. Tim Olk photo

Tags: , , , , , , ,

CFD Working Fire 3-28-13

This from Josh Boyajian:

Chicago companies had a working fire @ 3224 s May yesterday. Engine 29 found a 3-sty multi-family with fire in the attic. Engines 28 & 29 each had lines lead out. Trucks 33 & 8 had their mains to the roof with members chopping holes for ventilation. Here are some of my pictures.

 

firefighter with axe on the roof

Josh Boyajian photo

aerial ladder truck to roof of apartment building

Josh Boyajian photo

fire hose spray through window

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago Engine 29 at fire scene

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago FD Truck 33

Josh Boyajian photo

firefighter silhouette on ladder

Josh Boyajian photo

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

Multi-vehicle, multi-victim MVA in Wheeling 3-28-13

Many callers reported a multi-vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer in the westbound express lands of Palatine Road around 5:50PM on Thursday. Prospect Heights and Wheeling Fire Departments were dispatched to the area and located six cars and the semi strewn about the express lanes just east of Wheeling Road. Prospect Heights Engine 39 was the closest engine but could not enter the highway as there was solid traffic with no shoulder. All companies had to use the one-way frontage road or come the wrong way down the expressway.

Two patients had to be extricated from their vehicles. A total of five ambulances were sent to the scene to evaluate the drivers, but only three ambulances transported patients to area hospitals. Many of the drivers and occupants refused treatment on the scene. Along with the five ambulances, two battalion chiefs, one truck, one squad, and three engines were dispatched. Multiple hydraulic tools were put to work.

The westbound lanes remained closed well into the night as the accident investigation team worked the scene.

Larry Shapiro and Tim Olk were both at the scene and have images which will be posted in separate articles.

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

Prospect Heights firefighters work to free the driver from this car. Larry Shapiro photo

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

Two ambulances from Wheeling and one from Prospect Heights were on the original response. Larry Shapiro photo

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

A firefighter with a hydraulic spreader opens the damaged door. Larry Shapiro photo

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

Paramedics remove the driver of another car. Larry Shapiro photo

 

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

The driver is helped onto a stretcher. Larry Shapiro photo

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

Drivers stranded by the accident watch as firefighters tend to the patients and hazards. Larry Shapiro photo

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

The driver is removed from the car. Larry Shapiro photo

 

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

The driver of this car was also extricated by firefighters. Larry Shapiro photo

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

The driver of the red SUV is taken to an awaiting ambulance. Larry Shapiro photo

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

Damage to the truck. Larry Shapiro photo

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

Several cars were forced up along the center median by the truck. Larry Shapiro photo

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

The driver of this vehicle was transported to Lutheran General Hospital after firefighters completed the extrication. Larry Shapiro photo

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

Wheeling Engine 23 blocked traffic from passing on the opposite side of the highway. Larry Shapiro photo

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

Two of the damaged vehicles at the eastern section of the accident scene. Larry Shapiro photo

multi-vehicle accident on Palatine Road in Wheeling 3-28-13

Three of the six cars along the concrete center barrier. Larry Shapiro photo

Click here for a gallery with more images from Larry Shapiro.

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

Old CFD firehouse to house museum

This from the Chicago Suntimes:

Five years ago, then-Mayor Richard M. Daley turned a South Side firehouse where a racially-divisive retirement party took place into a museum honoring black firefighters.

Monday was Take Two for the City Council’s Committee on Housing and Real Estate.

Aldermen approved Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to turn Engine 61 — a vacant firehouse at 5349 S. Wabash built in 1929 — into the African-American Firefighter Museum.

The 10-year, $1 lease became necessary after Engine 100, 6843 S. Harper, turned out to be a turkey.

“The building was so old and there was so much work to be done….We were strapped trying to bring the place up to standard,” said museum founder Morris Davis.

Engine 61 will become the museum’s new home, complete with displays, photographs, artifacts and memorabilia honoring contributions made by black firefighters.

The entire article is HERE.

Thanks Bill

Tags: , , ,

Box Alarm house fire in West Chicago 3-28-13

West Chicago companies with automatic aid from other West Suburban Fire Alliance units responded to a reported house fire this afternoon at 2485 Alamance Drive. Du-Comm received multiple calls, some reporting that all residents were not out of the house. Companies reported a large header while en route and the alarm was upgraded to a Special Alarm (working fire). Upon arrival, all residents were found to have exited the two-story home which was fully involved.

Firefighters went to work and were soon ordered out of the house as a flashover occurred. Three people were transported to area hospitals including one firefighter with minor burns from the flashover and two civilians. The attack went defensive with two hand lines and the West Chicago tower ladder.

Elliott Tulipano submitted some images from early in the event and we will have other images to post as well.

house destroyed by fire in West Chicago 3-28-13 on Alamance Drive

The West Chicago tower ladder gets ready to go to work as fire consumes the second floor and roof of the house. Elliot Tulipano photo

house destroyed by fire in West Chicago 3-28-13 on Alamance Drive

Heavy fire moves from the garages to engulf the two-story house and the roof at 2485 Alamance Drive in West Chicago. Elliot Tulipano photo

Tags: , , , ,

Chicago Still & Box Alarm fire 3-27-13

This from Dan Shevlin:

Still & Box Alarm 5142 S Wolcott, 3/27/13
Still Time : Approx 2310 hrs
Battalion 19 Boxed a 2 1/2 story frame fully involved with an exposure to the south.  4 or 5 hand lines.  Tower Ladder 39 went to work also.
Chicago house fire 3-27-13 on south Wolcott

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago house fire 3-27-13 on south Wolcott

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago house fire 3-27-13 on south Wolcott

Dan Shevlin photo

firefighters in tower ladder with haeavy fire

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago house fire 3-27-13 on south Wolcott

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago house fire 3-27-13 on south Wolcott

Dan Shevlin photo

firefighters fighting heavy flames

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago house fire 3-27-13 on south Wolcott

Dan Shevlin photo

fire department hose in the street

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago house fire 3-27-13 on south Wolcott

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago house fire 3-27-13 on south Wolcott

Dan Shevlin photo

 

 

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

Crystal Lake Fire Station 3

This from Tyler Tobolt:

Crystal Lake Fire Station #3 with new addition added to it. Station 3 is located at 844 Virginia Street

 

Crystal Lake Fire Station 3

photo by Tyler Tobolt

Crystal Lake Fire Station 3

photo by Tyler Tobolt

A previous post shows Crystal lake Fire Station 1.

Tags: , , ,

Inverness house fire 3-27-13

The Palatine Rural FPD received a report from a citizen that had observed smoke coming from a house at 124 Poteet in Inverness, two blocks from the fire station. Engine 36 requested a fire response and then upgraded it to a working fire (Code 4) minutes later upon arrival at the scene. Companies from Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Barrington, East Dundee, West Dundee, Palatine, Long Grove, Buffalo Grove, and Prospect Heights were called to assist.

Companies had smoke from a first floor kitchen window, and the occupants were not at home. Firefighters encountered conditions inside the house consistent with a collier’s mansion, and were able to contain and extinguish the fire within 20 minutes.

Larry Shapiro went to the scene and arrived after the fire was knocked down. Here are several images from the scene.

Inverness house fire on Poteet 3-27-13

Hoffman Estates firefighters await an assignment outside the house. Larry Shapiro photo

Palatine Rural FPD Engine 36 at a fire scene

Palatine Rural FPD Engine 36 had two lines off. Larry Shapiro photo

Palatine Rural FPD tanker 36

Palatine Rural Tanker 36 dropped their portable tank in case the fire required additional water from the East Dundee and Prospect Heights tankers that were in staging. Larry Shapiro photo

Inverness house fire on Poteet 3-27-13

Palatine Rural FPD Tanker 36 nurses Engine 36 in this subdivision without hydrants. Larry Shapiro photo

Hoffman Estates Fire Department Reserve Truck 24

Hoffman Estates Truck 22 is running with the reserve aerial. The tower ladder will be out of service undergoing paint and bodywork by RPI for the next several months. Larry Shapiro photo

Rolling Meadows FD Engine 16

Rolling Meadows Engine 16. Larry Shapiro photo

West Dundee FPD aerial ladder truck

The West Dundee FD is running with their reserve ladder truck while their tower ladder is down for bodywork. Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove FD Tower Ladder 25

Buffalo Grove Tower 25 was the RIT company. Larry Shapiro photo

fire scene commander with accountability board

Rolling Meadows Battalion 15 was in command of the scene. Larry Shapiro photo

Additional images from the scene can be found HERE.

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

New aerial for Glenview

Webmaster, attached are a couple photos of Glenview’s new T14 delivered on March 25th.

  • 2013 Pierce Arrow XT 105′ heavy-duty ladder
  • Cummins ISX 500 HP motor,  Allison trans with retarder
  • 1500-gpm Waterous pump
  • 450 gallons of water
  • Class A and B Foam system
  • Hurst high pressure cutter and spreader in front bumper with 100′ reels powered by a Smart Power 10-KW generator with a XRT power system for the Hurst tools

Joe Faehndrick

Lieutenant

Glenview Fire Department

 

Glenview Fire Department new ladder truck

New truck for Glenview at the Pierce plant is ready for the drive home. Joe Faehndrick photo

Glenview Fire Department new ladder truck Pierce heavy-duty ladder

New 2013 Pierce Arrow XT 105′ HD RM aerial for Glenview Truck 14. Pump is 1,500-GPM with 45o gallons of water. Joe Faehndrick photo

Tags: , , , ,

Historic fire: Goldblatt’s fire in Mt Prospect, 1977 (pt3)

Images from Steve Redick from the Goldblatt’s Department Store fire in the winter of 1977.

Glenbrook FPD Pierce Snorkel working at fire scene

Steve Redick photo

American LaFrance Aero Chief Snorkel at fire scene

Steve Redick photo

fire trucks at bitter cold winter fire

Steve Redick photo

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