Archive for May 8th, 2014

Man Rescued from smoke-filled residence in Buffalo Grove

BUFFALO GROVE FIRE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

At 0530 hours on Wednesday May 7, 2014, the Buffalo Grove Illinois Fire Department, assisted by the Arlington Heights Fire Department, rescued a man from his smoke filled residence. The units initially responded to the 100 block of Old Oak Court East for a report of an activated smoke detector with someone in the dwelling. A neighbor called the fire department after having been awaken by the sound of a smoke alarm coming from the unit next door. When the man went to find the source of the alarm, he rang his neighbor’s bell and heard the man say something that could not be clearly heard, at which point he called the fire department.

Upon the arrival of the first fire units there was no smoke or fire showing. As the crew from Buffalo Grove Tower 25 attempted to make entry through a patio door, they encountered smoke from the unit and they immediately forced entry and found the resident lying on the floor. The crew of Arlington Heights Engine 4 found the source of the smoke was a chair cushion on fire. Engine 4 removed the cushion to the outside and extinguished the fire. The resident was transported by Buffalo Grove paramedics to Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. His condition is unknown at this time but does not appear to be life-threatening.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

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Illinois mayors push for pension reform

The Illinois Observer has an article about Illinois mayors going to Springfield about public pension reforms:

Nearly two dozen Illinois Mayors will gather in Springfield on Wednesday (May 7) to urge Illinois lawmakers to cut local police and fire pension benefits to provide relief to local budgets.

The mayors argue that “if the pension crisis is not fixed this year, municipalities will have no other choice but to raise property taxes or make further cuts to essential services, including laying off police officers and firefighters”.

Fire and police union officials argue that the mayors have already won pension benefits cuts in a landmark 2010 pension reform bill that lowered retirement benefits for new hires and that they have failed to prepare for the required pension payments due in 2015. Labor leaders also say that they mayors need to be honest with local voters regarding the real costs of municipals services.

Pension negotiations are taking place in Springfield this week between mayors and union officials, talks which are being brokered by State Senator Terry Link (D-Vernon Hills) at the direction of Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago).

Meanwhile, 23 mayors will appear at a press conference in the state capitol press conference room at 12:30 p.m. to call on lawmakers approve changes to public safety pension systems before they adjourn on May 31.

The mayors attending the press conference are:

  • Mayor Michael J. Houston – Springfield
  • Mayor Darryl Lindberg (IML President) – Loves Park
  • Mayor Mike McElroy – Decatur
  • Mayor Mary Jane Chesley – Mt. Vernon
  • Mayor Lawrence J. Morrissey – Rockford
  • Mayor Scott Eisenhauer – Danville
  • Mayor Jim Ardis – Peoria
  • Mayor Andy Ezard – Jacksonville
  • Village President Al Larson – Schaumburg
  • Mayor Bill McLeod – Hoffman Estates
  • Mayor Leon Rockingham, Jr. – North Chicago
  • Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl – Evanston
  • Mayor Joseph J. Broda – Lisle
  • Mayor Karen Darch – Barrington
  • Mayor Eugene Williams – Lynwood
  • Mayor Roger C. Claar – Bolingbrook
  • Mayor Tim Grover – Mattoon
  • Mayor Scott J. Harl – Peru
  • Mayor Dale Adams – Rockton
  • Village President Richard Reinbold – Richton Park
  • Mayor Jerry Turry – Lincolnwood
  • Village President Rodney S. Craig – Hanover Park
  • Mayor Mike Chamberlin – Belvidere

thanks Dan

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Chicago Still & Box Alarm, 5-5-14

This from Josh Boyajian:

Chicago had a Still and Box Alarm Monday night at 1906 N. Kostner. Fire was in a 2-sty frame with heavy fire conditions on the 2nd floor and in the attic. Companies were pulled out of the building during an Emergency Evacuation order then went defensive. 4 handlines were dropped and Tower 14 was on the A side. It took me a while to get there but here are a few shots. I also attached a new decal that was recently added to Engine 91.

Chicago FD Engine 68

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago FD Engine 76

Josh Boyajian photo

burned out house

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago FD company decal

Chicago FD communications van

Josh Boyajian photo

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New ambulance for the North Palos FPD

An image of a new ambulance for the North Palos FPD from the Osage Ambulance Facebook page.

ambulance photo

New ambulance for North Palos. Osage Ambulance photo

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