This from Josh Boyajian:
Here is a shot of the new 16th Battalion buggy.Here’s a list of the four I can account for. There are at least 10 new ones but only a few are in service. They are all 2014 Ford Explorer Police utilities.Battalion 9 – B-577Battalion 16 – B-579Battalion 17 – B-580Battalion 24 – B-584
New buggy for CFD Battalion 16 with Shop ID #B-579. Josh Boyajian photo
#1 by tom sullivan on November 11, 2014 - 7:24 AM
variances are in double company houses,, one manning variance per house,,, no company runs with less than 4 at any time.
#2 by Jim on November 10, 2014 - 8:27 PM
If a company is on a variance, do they still send out a shopper?
#3 by tom sullivan on November 10, 2014 - 4:32 PM
the variance scenarios can get complicated,, like all things in life sometimes the situation calls for some creative thinking. in answer to a ff returning from shopping and the company is out for a long duration,, tradition calls for the ff to rejoin his company at the scene by what ever transportation can be arranged,, there is no set procedure for this. ffs do not jump onto change of quarters companies. manning and acting out variances can occur unexpectantly during a shift, for example due to injuries, there are provisions to handle that.
#4 by spoung45 on November 10, 2014 - 9:38 AM
So if one FF is shopping for an hour. and his/her company gets called out on a call, and is gone for more then that hour(there is a 5-11). does that FF say at the house or some how get to the scene of the fire? Or if a company changes quarters(and they are running 4 men) to the house where the FF who was shopping is at. and now by themselves since their co. is at the fire. how would all that be handled?
#5 by Josh on November 10, 2014 - 8:41 AM
Yes, the variances are for 24 hours. That Is just a spot they won’t hire overtime for pretty much
#6 by Bill Post on November 10, 2014 - 8:30 AM
Tom or Dennis are the variances allowed for full length of the shift (24 hours) are they only for part of the shift (such as for training or the details during the day time or for shopping purposes) such as you mentioned Tom? And I was also wondering if the maximum level of allowable variances (45) occurs everyday or only on somedays? In other words for example on somedays will 20 variances occur as opposed to the full 45.
Are the variances used much on the weekends or are they predominantly used during the weekdays or is the usage about the same on any day
Thanks for the information in your post Tom.
#7 by tom sullivan on November 10, 2014 - 7:59 AM
in regards to cfd manpower, the “variances” have been included in every contract since the mid 1980’s. they also include “acting out of rank”,, ie: a ff as a lieut. , a capt. as a b/c, etc. for the day or a portion of it. there is a provision that a ff may leave for one hour for food shopping for the working shift. the variance issue has been a major point in every negotiation. the ff/pms being detailed to the als ambulances are a complicated situation affecting the use of variances. they are closely monitored by the city and the union to make sure that there are no excesses.
the city rotates variances evenly across all the companies, (except the single houses) no consideration is given to busier vs. slower companies.
occasionally due to various circumstances, particularly in the morning, a full still response; 2 engs / 2 trucks , will happen with all companies running with 4.
#8 by Bill Post on November 9, 2014 - 10:56 PM
Thanks for the information Dennis. So the city it seems is reducing the manpower assigned to double stations “through the back door.” It seems that was never really publicized or really brought to the public”s attention.
#9 by Dennis on November 9, 2014 - 9:08 PM
Bill Post, I am going to correct you on your manning statement. Not all companies are 5 man. In a double house (an engine and truck) the city will be 1 of the company’s on a variance meaning on that certain day either the engine or the truck will run with 4 guys. In the contract it states that everyday the city is allowed to run 45 variances on fire companies that are not single company locations.
And the conversion of the BLS to ALS has nothing to do with anything about helping the citizens or anything like that. It’s all about the money. Obamacare does not pay for a “basic” transport to the hospital which in turn means the city wouldn’t be getting any money for having them. Also by switching them to ALS it has caused a huge shortage of single-role paramedics across the city to the point where most single-role medics have worked 1 day on 1 day off for the past year and roughly 10-15 firefighter/medics are being detailed to the ALS ambulance’s daily.
#10 by Bill Post on November 8, 2014 - 9:16 PM
This is a correction. The Los Angeles CIty Fire Department had 7 Ladder companies taken out of service during the recession and none have been put back in service as of yet. I had mistakenly put down the number 9.
Either way before the recession the Los Angeles City Fire Department had 49 Ladder companies and now they only have 42 while they 101 full Engine companies and now they only have 91.
All but one of the Los Angeles City Fire Departments Ladder companies are officially called “Light Forces” because they have a “chase Engine” that runs with the Ladder company as a second piece, however the chase Engine only has an Engineer assigned to it and it’s primary purpose is let the Ladder Crew take off a line in case they are running short of Engine companies. The “chase Engine” also is used for supply lines for both Ladder pipes or to lead out into full Engine companies if there aren’t adequate hydrants near the fire and can also be put in service as a full Engine if off duty shifts are called in during a major brush fire or another major Emergency.
When you consider that Los Angeles city has more then twice as much area to protect as Chicago they really are stretching things very thin.
#11 by Bill Post on November 8, 2014 - 8:32 PM
Josh thanks for printing the latest run down of the new Battalion buggy assignments.
Let’s also take a look at the good things.
1 The CFD is still running with 5 man Engine and Truck companies.
2. No fire companies were taken out of service and no fire stations have been closed down. Chicago even put another Engine company in service (Engine company 12) at O”Hare Field, as well as a new ARFF fire company 6510 at Rescue Station 1.
3. All 15 BLS ambulances were converted to ALS ambulances (hopefully decreasing the wait time for an ALS ambulance to respond to and arrive on the scene of an emergency.
If you remember that over last few years there was a serious question as to whether all the Engines and Trucks would still be running with 5 men a piece (prior to the contract negotiations).
There was also a serious question as to whether all of the fire stations would remain open and whether all of the remaining Engine and Truck companies would remain in service. The city was even suggesting the closing of the remaining single company stations. They are still there. That includes Truck 24 (which actually should have been put in a new station with an Engine company years ago).
As recent as a year ago there was talk of the city eliminating the 5th man from the Engine companies that shared their station with a Truck company. That didn’t happen.
For several years there had been support for converting the 15 former BLS ambulances into ALS ambulances. As it turns out both the city administration and Local 2 were for that idea and so within a few months of contract approval the 15 ambulances were converted to ALS.
The Chicago Fire Department also got by the severe recession pretty well when you compare it to some other major fire departments.
A good comparison would be to the Los Angeles City Fire Department which protects more than a million more residents then the Chicago Fire Department does (2,718,782 in Chicago versus 3,884,707 people in Los Angeles) and protects more then twice as much territory as the Chicago Fire Department does 469 square miles in LA versus 227 square miles in Chicago and yet the Los Angeles City Fire Deparment initially had 11 full Engine companies taken out of service (only one has been restored to service so far) and lost 9 Ladder companies as well (none have been restored) in addition to having 2 Battalions and one Division taken out of service.
Several fire departments also had to go thru ” rolling brown outs” which means that every week or so several fire companies would be taken out of service and a few weeks later those companies would go back into service while other companies would go out of service in their place.
The Chicago fire department was lucky enough not to have to put any of their Engines and Trucks on a “rolling brownout”.
#12 by Marty on November 8, 2014 - 8:24 PM
Again the green lights on the buggies went away when they were still ordering them with the SLR’s that can and are set up with the green light. This has nothing to do with it not being an option on the valor bar.
Here’s a shot on one from back in April.
http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CFD_BN8-JB.jpg
#13 by Crabby Milton on November 7, 2014 - 2:56 PM
Brian, I never suggested that western civilization would crumble if CFD omits the green light on their vehicles. The tax comment stems from the idea that a great deal of money is spent on those things so why not include some tradition? In the eyes of vendors, customers are supposed to be quite and pay the bill. Never had trouble before. HEHE why not paint the WILLIS TOWER yellow. 🙂
#14 by Brian on November 7, 2014 - 2:44 PM
The green light issue has nothing to due with tax money. The low profile light bar does not come with green. I know the color of a light bar is the end of the world.
#15 by Crabby Milton on November 7, 2014 - 6:11 AM
Without getting into a screaming match with some on how a city should spend tax money, it’s funny that there is always money for things that a city ought not to have business being involved in the first place but can’t seem to find a way to puta simple green light where it has always been. I too don’t think CFD will phase out the black over red. Just remember that New Haven and Denver’s rigs are solid white. Yes many suburban departments have that wonderful green light and many depts. coast to coast have adopted the black over red. One of our suburban Milwaukee County departments Wauwatosa have switched to black over red after being lime green/ yellow for several decades.
#16 by David on November 7, 2014 - 2:16 AM
The black roofs are so characteristic for the CFD that I seriously doubt that they’ll ever get rid of them. Although it’s true that it’s slowly changing and for example a lot of the service rigs are now all-white, I still believe that the majority of the frontline apparatus which is “exposed to public” daily would keep the traditional colors. It’s kinda PR thing for the dept to have some characteristic features like their unique paint scheme etc..
#17 by Josh on November 6, 2014 - 7:24 PM
New Buggies as follows….
Battalion 1 – B-574
Battalion 2 – B-575 ?
Battalion 8 – B-571
Battalion 9 – B-577
Battalion 11 – B-578 ?
Battalion 16 – B-579
Battalion 17 – B-580
Battalion 21 – B-572
Battalion 22 – B-582
Battalion 24 – B-584
#18 by Bill Post on November 6, 2014 - 7:18 PM
Dennis I sure hope that this is only speculation about losing the black roofs and that it never happens. All red fire engines are a thing of the past. In the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s several fire departments that at one time had all red fire engines started adding other colors to their paint scheme. A great example is the New York City Fire Department which at one had completely red fire engines however they began adding white and gold stripes and white roofs in the late 80’s and 90’s. The most common color combination is red with some white trim or striping however there are now a number of fire departments (even on the east coast) that have gone to black over red similar to Chicago.
#19 by Dennis on November 6, 2014 - 6:43 PM
Guys, look the reason for no more green is because of NIMS. It the NIMS system green lights mean command vehicle which would mean only the command vans will have a green flashing light. Tradition is not something the current administration cares to much about nor does fleet care what is on the rigs as long as it’s cheap. Don’t be surprised that the black tops will be gone so as well. This whole thing of brotherhood and tradition is a lost art in the current CFD. Times are changing for the CFD and it’s not for the better.
#20 by JS on November 6, 2014 - 5:21 PM
I’ve noticed CPD no longer incorporates brake lights and turn signals into the rear of their lightbars. That’s a tradition going back to at least the early 70s.
Personally, I’m not a fan of the Euro style Explorer either, but I believe these have the Ford Interceptor package, hence they’re designed for severe duty.
What I’m wondering is why the city doesn’t order the buggies with one standard lightbar across the board. Not that it matters in the big picture, but most agencies stick to a common design/product.
#21 by Fred M on November 6, 2014 - 2:50 PM
Based upon what CFD is purchasing from Federal, I’ll bet a minor adjustment could be made. Time to get Fleet or City Purchasing to do a little arm twisting
#22 by Marty on November 6, 2014 - 1:27 PM
The only problem with that theory is the last buggies CFD ordered had blue lights add have Vision SLR lights which do have the green option.
Also the latest aerials CFD just got still have a green light.
#23 by spoung45 on November 6, 2014 - 1:19 PM
what about the grill lights?
#24 by Bill Post on November 6, 2014 - 9:40 AM
Turk if your hunch is correct them maybe someone could talk to Federal Signal and explain to them how green lights an indispensable part of the Chicago Fire Department Lighting Configuration or perhaps they can start offering a light bar with a green light on it?
#25 by Turk_WLF on November 6, 2014 - 9:27 AM
Gentlemen,
I agree with the tradition of the Green Light but I think I found 1 possible answer, I looked up the Valor Lightbar on Federal Signal Website & from what I can tell they don’t offer a GREEN Led for the Valor (stock anyways). Therefore it could be a simple as that.
#26 by Jim Mitidiero on November 6, 2014 - 9:03 AM
Battalion 22 running with B-582 as of the other day.
#27 by David on November 6, 2014 - 8:44 AM
Good idea, I think the guys from the Fire Museum could try to talk to somebody in charge in the department. This tradition should not be lost.
#28 by Fred M on November 6, 2014 - 8:19 AM
I agree with Bill P and the others on the green lights. Too many time honored traditions have gone by the wayside, and in most cases will never come back. This is a tradition that should not be a cost issue and from a safety issue is a non factor. Why would CFD go away from this? Anyone know anyone to start a campaign “to keep the greens?
#29 by David on November 6, 2014 - 2:22 AM
I hope they’ll keep the green light at least on the big rigs where they can put the blues on the back and keep the lightbars on the cab in the traditional style. Although I know it’s up to the dept. if they’ll use the lights or not, I guess the NFPA could sometimes really try to think twice if their recommendations are worth the result, which in this case is the end of an 80+ year old tradition known between FFs and fans all around the globe.
#30 by Bill Post on November 6, 2014 - 12:15 AM
This is a correction from the previous post. The 2009 Ford Expeditions and Chevy Tahoes are better looking then the Ford Explorers that are replacing them. The new buggies and that includes the EMS supervisor buggies just don’t look as sturdy and solid as the 2009 buggies that are being replaced.
#31 by Bill Post on November 5, 2014 - 11:56 PM
Why can’t they bring back the green light or just replace the blue lights with green lights? Green and Red lights should be on all Chicago fire apparatus.They are time honored Chicago Tradition there in no good reason why the green lights should not be there.
Beside’s the lights I really think that Chevy Tahoes or even the Ford Explorers that are being replaced by these newer explorers look much better then these newer ones. There is no question that the 2009 models that are being replaced look better.
#32 by Steve on November 5, 2014 - 10:54 PM
I think all cfd vehicles would look better with red and blue lights
#33 by HWD37 on November 5, 2014 - 6:45 PM
I hate that CFD is having blue take over the green. Really kills the tradition nice pic Josh
#34 by Josh on November 5, 2014 - 2:51 PM
Blue over the passenger side, white in middle, red over driver side
#35 by David on November 5, 2014 - 2:23 PM
Ok and the usual question – what colors are these, any blue lights on them, did they keep the green light?! Thanks!
#36 by Kevin Griffin on November 5, 2014 - 11:24 AM
They are federal signal valors
#37 by CFD 1979 on November 5, 2014 - 11:12 AM
Very interesting light bars on the new buggies….