Archive for April 18th, 2014

A reflection on 34 years as a firefighter (part 1)

Apr 18

Posted by Admin in Fire Service Photos, Fire Truck photos, Reader submission | 7 Comments

This from John Tobin:

How does the song go … “reflections of my life.” Well the pictures here are a reflection of time and how it’s moved on. Throughout that time, it was quite a ride and after 34 years I can’t believe it’s over! I made many friends, some enemies, and pretty much did what I set out to do in 1979 when I was hired by the EFD. (Elgin Fire Department)

I said more than once … “one day I rolled under a rig that needed fixing and when I rolled out my first wife had left me, the kids were grown, and I was an old man” … there is a lesson there. Some have changed their colors so many times over the years they become someone completely different. I never thought I was anything special, but I had a special job and I was very fortunate to have it!

There is a saying “don’t confuse me with the facts.” When that became a reality, rather than just a joke … I knew my end was near. So if you will, glance at the pictures and see if any of them will take you on a journey. Time for the next chapter in my life and the EFD will do just fine without me.

As the French say … C’est la vie

Reflections of 34 years as a firefighter.

John Tobin collection

Tags: Elgin Fire Department, fire department history, fire truck pictures, historic fire truck pictures, John Tobin

Working fire in Chicago, 4-17-14

Apr 18

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Scene photos, Fire Scene video | 7 Comments

This from Steve Redick:

I was able to attend an unusual incident last night. There is a small area that belongs to Chicago, that lies along Foster ave west of River rd, adjacent to O’Hare Field. This is much closer to Rosemont and Schiller Park, yet it belongs to CFD. It isn’t really a good run for either the airport companies nor engine 11. Sort of a no-man’s land. Rosemont responded to smoke in the area, as well as Schiller Park , Desplaines, and Park Ridge. CFD was notified as well. Arriving units found a well-involved tour/party type bus inside an industrial building. Park Ridge, due on auto-aide, used a deck gun to hit the bulk of the fire. Chicago companies arrived and worked in concert with all the suburban units. Another interesting aspect to this was that MVU (924) was used. This rig lives at O’Hare Field and most of us fire fan types have never actually had a chance to see the unit in operation. I also took a photo or two of the various municipality street signs at each end of the block. They used suburban style hydrants, but I think I heard the sprinkler connections on the fire building were Chicago threads. All in all a “once in a billion years” kinda deal.

Steve

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

Tags: Chicago MVU 9-2-4, city and suburban fire departments work together, fire scene video, MVU clears smoke in large building, night fire scene photos, night fire scene with fire trucks, Rosemont Fire Department, Schiller Park Fire Department, Steve Redick, Tempest Mobile Ventilation Unit

A request for some help

Apr 18

Posted by Admin in Reader submission | 2 Comments

A reader came across this image and is asking for help identifying the two people with Bobby Hull as he is receiving a Chicago Fire Commissioner helmet.