Archive for August 31st, 2015

Sexual harassment lawsuit against Country Club Hills (more)

Excerpts from theChicagoTribune.com:

Country Club Hills has suspended a firefighter who complained about gender discrimination, sexual harassment and porn in the fire station, according to the woman’s attorney.

Dana Kurtz, Lewis-Bystrzycki’s attorney, said the suspension is “simply more retaliation against her. It sends a clear message to everyone ‘do not complain or this is what will happen to you.'”

Earlier this month, Lewis-Bystrzycki filed a supplemental complaint against Country Club Hills alleging lieutenants have admitted knowing that employees watch porn in the fire station. Court records allege at least 45 instances of sexual harassment, discrimination or retaliation against Lewis-Bystrzycki dating back to the beginning of her employment.

Country Club Hills attorney Daniel Boddicker declined to comment, citing pending litigation, but said he believes the department will be successful on the merits of the case. Boddicker previously said the fire chief has “terminated access to the premium movie channels” where there is “nudity.”

thanks Dan

Tags: , , , ,

New ambulance for Berwyn

This from Josh Boyajian:

New Berwyn Ambulance 907 – 2015 Ford E-450/Wheeled Coach  Type III
Old Berwyn Ambulance 905 – 2011 Ford E-450  Wheeled Coach Type III
Wheeled Coach Type III ambulance

Josh Boyajian photo

Wheeled Coach Type III ambulance

Josh Boyajian photo

Tags: , , ,

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire with Mayday alert, 8-31-15

From Steve Redick of the 3-11 Alarm fire with a Mayday alert at 4874 N. Lincoln Avenue (8/30/15)

bowling alley fire in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

Tags: , , , ,

Historic fire in Lincolnwood, 11-3-92

Images from Steve Redick:

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

classic fire scene

Steve Redick photo

classic fire scene

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

classic fire scene

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

firemen make ladder rescue at office building fire

Steve Redick photo

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

10 Rescued From Blaze At Lincolnwood Bank   11/3/92

Firefighters rescued 10 people from a fire that spread through offices in the Lincolnwood Bank Building in the north suburb Monday evening, fire officials said.

“We had quite a rescue effort,” said Cmdr. Drew Smith of the Lincolnwood Fire Department. “It took some time to fight the fire. We couldn`t put water on it because we were rescuing people. One man was hanging from the (third-floor) window, and we had to rescue him by ladder.” Seven other people also were rescued by ladder from windows of the five-story building at 4433 W. Touhy Ave., he said.

Smith said he didn`t know how many people were working in the building at the time. The fire started about 5:15 p.m. on the third floor in the south central portion of the brick and glass building. The building houses several offices on the second through fifth floors. The bank, which is on the first floor, was not damaged.

Seven engines, five trucks, and 50 firefighters helped fight the extra-alarm blaze. Lincolnwood was assisted by firefighters from Skokie, Niles, Morton Grove, Evanston, Glenview, Rosemont, Des Plaines, Northfield, Park Ridge, Winnetka, and Wilmette.

this from Drew Smith:

Here’s what I can add:

For those that don’t know the geographical location of Lincolnwood, it is surrounded by the City of Chicago on three sides and Skokie to the north. While Skokie companies arrive quickly, the other suburban mutual aid takes a little longer. Also, with the exception of Evanston, all the mutual aid comes from the north and west as Chicago is to the south and Lake Michigan is on the east. In the past several years Chicago has begun to respond into the suburbs on MABAS alarms when requested.

Lincolnwood FD (LFD) was already on two ambulance calls and as such the truck crew was staffing the second ambulance, not the truck. Terry Menzel was the Commander (BC) on duty and IC. He is currently the deputy chief at the Woodstock Fire Rescue District. I came in when they called the MABAS box alarm and assisted at the command post. The media was everywhere. When this fire occurred, the LFD was just a little over two years old having been created 1/1/1990 after the village informed Chicago they would no longer rely on the CFD for fire suppression. Lincolnwood Police had used Paramedic Services of IL for ambulance service since 1977 and after going out for bids, PSI was selected over two other contractors to run the LFD. I am proud to say I was part of that original group and worked to purchase the apparatus and equipment in the ten months leading up to the start of the FD.

As I recall (its been over 23 years now) …

Skokie T16 arrived pretty quick as they are about a mile to 1.5 miles down the road. They were presented with multiple people at the third floor windows and as shown in the photos began rescues.

The fire was on the third floor. Getting the hose flaked and charged took some time in the heavy smoke, and manpower in the first ten minutes was limited. Skokie sent additional companies and chiefs when the rescue was announced. When I arrived the rescues were over and the fire suppression was underway. It was a standpipe operation, I believe, but I recall that in the building just about each floor had a different floor plan and the two stairwells, while they discharged remote from one another at ground level, were pretty much back to back inside a center core. One went from the roof and penthouse to the basement while the other was just from the lobby to the top floor.

It could have been much worse.

Tags: , , , , , , ,