Archive for January 13th, 2016

Oak Lawn politics in the news (more)

Excerpts from the OakLawnLeaf.com:

The Village of Oak Lawn’s battle with firefighter and former union official Robert Lanz included a declaration from the village manager and other charges that some officials are calling a direct attack on the firefighter’s reputation and a stretch of common sense.

Lanz was accused by the village’s administration of calling phone sex lines possibly while on-duty and was served with a notice to appear for an interrogation.  In court documents filed by the Village of Oak Lawn, the village claimed that Lanz, as a firefighter-paramedic, sees and treats the citizens of Oak Lawn when they are at their most vulnerable. While employees and officials we spoke to did not disagree with that statement, it was the following statement that raised the ire of everyone who read it:

Firefighter-paramedics such as the Plaintiff (Lanz) see patients when they are not fully clothed, and the paramedics must have physical contact with patients, often of the opposite sex. Because of this, the village must have supreme confidence that the firefighter will not abuse the patient relationship for his own personal gratification

The allegation is being called ridiculous by two employees and officials that we spoke to on the condition of anonymity.  “To connect an unproven allegation of phone sex to the possibility of a sex crime shows how far this administration will go to attack its firefighters”, said one employee who feared retaliation and asked for confidentiality.

One official called the entire dispute a waste of money and said it arose entirely from the actions of Village Manager Larry Deetjen.  In the court documents, Deetjen does state that he had heard unofficial rumors that a union audit revealed that union funds were misappropriated.  Under Deetjen’s direction, the village had asked the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the matter.  After an investigation, no charges were filed against any firefighter, current or past union officials for any misuse of union funds.

Despite the case being closed, Deetjen apparently filed a Freedom of Information request with the Sheriff and received a copy of the union’s own investigatory documents that detailed all charges made by all union officials for over four years.  Deetjen admitted in the court documents that he then reviewed the charges and linked some of the charges to Lanz, with whom he has had an adversary relationship over the years.

Based on that review, Deetjen admitted that he checked the names of some of the companies on the internet and determined that two of the companies provide phone sex services. He then reviewed Lanz’s records and determined some of the charges may have occurred when he was at the firehouse.  Firefighters in Oak Lawn work 24 hour shifts and remain at the firehouse during that time period.

The Oak Lawn official who asked not to be identified said that it was painfully obvious that Deetjen was trying to smear the firefighter’s reputation.  “This isn’t the first time I’ve seen this attack mode from this administration.   I’m not surprised that they are smearing his reputation but I’m surprised that they would be trying to stretch this into the possibility of sex crimes by mentioning the fact paramedics are in close contact with residents,” he said.

When Deetjen first told the village board about the issue, he reportedly told the board that Lanz was being disciplined.  He wrote that the investigation concerned both inappropriate financial transactions and engaging in inappropriate sex-related activities while on duty.  The statement may contradict Deetjen’s court declaration which states, “In late November or early December, 2015, I learned that the Cook County Sheriff’s Department concluded its investigation and decided not to press criminal charges against Plaintiff (Lanz).”

Lanz is reportedly on paid sick leave according to sources within the Village of Oak Lawn.

thanks Dan

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Chicago 2-11 Alarm fire, 1-13-16 (more)

Images from Larry Shapiro of the 2-11 Alarm fire at 3234 N. Central Avenue (1/13/16)

Chicago FD Engine 91

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Engine 108

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 23

Larry Shapiro photo

Pierce tower ladders at Chicago fire scene

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Engine 86

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Squad 2A

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 23

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 23

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 14

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighter covered with ice drinking coffee

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago firefighter at winter fire scene with ice

Larry Shapiro photo

fire department portable command board

Larry Shapiro photo

firemen carry frozen ladder covered with ice

Larry Shapiro photo

ladder frozen at fire scene covered with ice

Larry Shapiro photo

more photos are at shapirophotography.net

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Chicago 2-11 Alarm fire, 1-13-16 (more)

From Josh Boyajian:

  Here are some of my shots from the deuce today

heavy smoke from building fire

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 14

Josh Boyajian photo

firefighter coated with ice at winter fire

Josh Boyajian photo

firefighter coated with ice at winter fire

Josh Boyajian photo

firefighter coated with ice at winter fire

Josh Boyajian photo

winter fire scene

Josh Boyajian photo

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Chicago 2-11 Alarm fire, 1-13-16

This from Drew Gresik:

Here are some shots from today’s 2-11 at 3234 N Central Avenue.
Drew Gresik
Chicago FD Tower Ladder 14

Drew Gresik photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 14

Drew Gresik photo

firefighters handle hose line at fire scene

Drew Gresik photo

fire chief officers supervise fire scene

Drew Gresik photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 23

Drew Gresik photo

Chicago FD Engine 94

Drew Gresik photo

Chicago FD Engine 94

Drew Gresik photo

Chicago FD Engine 86

Drew Gresik photo

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Oak Park firefighter dies after shift (more)

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

An Oak Park firefighter died Monday night just hours after finishing his shift. Firefighter Kenneth K. Harris, 56, was found dead in his Berwyn home the evening of Jan. 11. Harris was a 28-year veteran of the Oak Park Fire Department.

According to Deputy Fire Chief Peter Pilafas, Harris had just worked a 24-hour shift, ending the morning of Jan. 11. Afterward, Harris put in another six hours of fire prevention work. “I actually saw him on Jan. 11 in the morning,” Pilafas said. “He just got off a shift. He seemed perfectly fine.”

With the department still coming to grips with the loss of its colleague, Pilafas recalled only positive memories of his late friend.

“He was a hard worker who was a fireman’s fireman,” Pilafas said. “He truly understood the commitment of the job, loved being a firefighter, loved the Oak Park Fire Department and loved serving the village of Oak Park. What’s going to be missed is he always put a smile on your face even when you had a bad day. He’s not replaceable. He will be sorely missed.”

Harris leaves behind a wife, five children and three grandchildren.

thanks Dan

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Vintage Chicago fire scene: 3-11 alarm in 1970

More newspaper articles from Steve Redick of a fire in December of 1970, a 3-11 alarm at 316 N Michigan … lower level

historic Chicago newspaper article

Warren Redick collection

historic Chicago newspaper article

Warren Redick collection

historic Chicago newspaper article

Warren Redick collection

historic Chicago newspaper article

Warren Redick collection

historic Chicago newspaper article

Warren Redick collection

historic Chicago newspaper article

Warren Redick collection

historic Chicago newspaper article

Warren Redick collection

historic Chicago newspaper article

Warren Redick collection

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