Archive for August 23rd, 2013

2nd Alarm house fire in Lake Zurich 8-23-13 (more)

A video from this morning’s fire scene in Lake Zurich from Larry Shapiro

A gallery of the photos from the scene can be viewed HERE.

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

Des Plaines considers joining RED Center

The TribLocal has an article about a presentation to the Des Plaines city council about joining RED Center for fire department dispatch services.

The Des Plaines City Council put the brakes on a proposal from the fire chief Monday to join a regional emergency dispatch center, with some aldermen expressing concerns that the move could lead to dangerous delays in response times.

“I’m not confident with what’s going on here,” said Ald. Dick Sayad, 4th, who urged the council to postpone voting on the proposal until early September to allow more time to investigate the matter.

“There are 14 towns going into the regional center, and we’re losing response time, which is of the essence in saving lives,” Sayad said.

Fire Chief Alan Wax said by joining the Regional Emergency Dispatch (RED) Center in Northbrook, the fire department would improve service and reduce costs. The regional center currently provides call-taking, emergency medical pre-arrival instructions and fire department dispatching services to 14 communities, including Niles, Prospect Heights and Wheeling, he said.

“This center has been in operation since 1977, and there have not been any issues with call transfers,” said Wax, adding that transferring an incoming 911 call to the center takes less than three to five seconds.

The fire department previously received emergency and non-emergency dispatching services from the North Suburban Emergency Communication Center (NSECC) on the second floor of city hall before its dissolution earlier this year as ordered by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Since then, dispatching services have been handled by the Des Plaines Emergency Communication Center (DPECC), which is selling its services to the Park Ridge police and fire departments under a two-year intergovernmental agreement.

Park Ridge also is considering joining the regional center, with a vote scheduled for September, said Wax, adding that both fire departments must either remain together in DPECC or move to the RED center.

While joining the regional center would cost the city roughly $243,000 in start-up costs, Wax said the expense would be quickly offset by an estimated annual savings of $133,000.

Still, for the city’s current dispatchers — five of whom would lose their jobs if the city joins the regional center — Wax’s proposal prompted public safety concerns. In particular, the possibility was raised that some 911 callers who are under duress might be confused by the transfer and either hang up the phone or waste valuable time by having to explain to a second dispatcher where they are calling from.

Urging the City Council to delay voting on the proposal, Rebecca Brink, a DPECC dispatcher, said instead of the Fire Department joining the regional center, the city should consider investing in improving the police and fire department’s current 911 dispatching infrastructure.

“We are concerned that you’re not hearing our side of the story,” said Brink, one of the city’s 17 dispatchers.

The council is expected to further discuss and vote on the proposal at the next meeting, Sept. 3.

Tags: , , , , ,

2nd Alarm house fire in Lake Zurich 8-23-13

This from Larry Shapiro:

Lake Zurich FD received a call at 4:34AM reporting a house fire at 23722 S. Lakewood Lane in unincorporated Lake County. FIrst in companies found a well-involved frame house. The alarm was upgraded to a Box Alarm and then a 2nd Alarm for additional tankers as the neighborhood has no hydrants. The house, which was reportedly vacant,  was completely destroyed.

 

Lake Zurich FIre Department house fire

All that was left standing was the lower portion of the front wall around the garage. Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Zurich FIre Department house fire

Firefighters hit hot spots in what’s left of the house. Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Zurich FIre Department house fire

Firefighters hit hot spots in what’s left of the house. Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Zurich FIre Department house fire

Firefighters cut out the remaining garage arch. Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Zurich FIre Department house fire

This Lake Zurich engine was first-in. Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Zurich FIre Department house fire

Round Lake tanker being dumped. Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Zurich FIre Department house fire

Two portable tanks were setup for water supply. Larry Shapiro photo

Companies on the alarm include four engines from Lake Zurich plus mutual aid engines from Mundelein, Palatine, Arlington Heights, and Fox River Grove. Trucks were from Wauconda and Buffalo Grove. Lincolnshire-Riverwoods and Libertyville sent ambulances, and tankers were from Long Grove, Cary, Fox Lake, Round Lake, Countryside, Palatine Rural, and Nunda. The Mess Canteen provided support services and chief officers were due from Wauconda, Countryside, Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, and Palatine.

 

Lake Zurich FIre Department house fire

Apparatus staged down the block. Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Zurich FIre Department house fire

Long Grove tanker nursing the engine. Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Zurich FIre Department house fire

View of the B-Sector. Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Zurich FIre Department house fire

View of the B-Sector. Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Zurich FIre Department house fire

Long Grove Tanker 55 was nursing the Lake Zurich engine. Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Zurich FIre Department house fire

The second Lake Zurich engine was drafting from the portable tanks. Larry Shapiro photo

I arrived after the structure was already down and have some late images and a video that will follow later.

 

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