Archive for January 17th, 2016

Algonquin-Lake in the Hills FPD seeks tax increase (more)

Excerpts from MySuburbanLife.com:

Officials from the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District said the district’s loss of funding from commercial fire alarms and added costs from the Affordable Care Act are behind the upcoming referendum to create a new tax fund for the district.

The proposed emergency and rescue tax, which will be on the primary ballot on March 15, would add a 0.1 percent tax on the equalized assessed value of property within the district. The tax would add about $61 to the tax bill for the owner of a $200,000 home who takes the homestead exemption. That would increase the fire district’s portion of that resident’s tax bill by about 10 percent, based on tax rates from last year.

In all, it would raise about $900,000 to the department’s tax revenue on top of the current projected revenue of about $8 million.

The numbers were presented during an information session Wednesday night. Additional information sessions are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20 and Feb. 10 at the fire district headquarters at 1020 W. Algonquin Road.

Van Dorpe said in his presentation the department needs a revenue boost because a federal court decision in 2015 forced the department to stop providing radio frequency fire alarms to commercial property in its district. Providing that service netted the department $407,000 at its peak in 2013.

The chief said the Affordable Care Act would require the district to provide health care to part-time employees at an estimated cost of $200,000. He also cited a long-term decline in property values, a low consumer price index and rises in medical insurance and workers’ compensation.

Van Dorpe’s presentation also said the department had reclassified and eliminated positions to try to make ends meet, but those measures would not be enough in the coming years.

The department is not currently setting aside any money to pay for the replacement of equipment, he said.

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Working fire in Chicago, 1-17-16

This from Eric Haak:

Battalion 22 had a working fire at 618 E 104th Street just after 0600 hours on Sunday morning (1/17).  The fire was in the basement and it appeared to be out relatively quick.
night house fire scene

Eric Haak photo

night house fire scene

Eric Haak photo

night house fire scene

Eric Haak photo

Chicago firefighters at night fire scene

Eric Haak photo

Chicago firefighters at house fire

Eric Haak photo

Just after 1100 hours, Engine 93 landed with a substantial working fire at the same address.  Companies reported fire through the roof shortly after arrival.  Temperatures hovered slightly above zero for both incidents.

Chicago firefighters battle house fire

Eric Haak photo

firefighters make entry to house fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago FD Engine 93

Eric Haak photo

firefighter working a basement fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago firefighters vent roof at house fire

Eric Haak photo

A Chicago firefighter vents the roof at house fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago firefighters vent roof at house fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago firefighter with hoe at house fire

Eric Haak photo

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Warehouse fire in Blue Island, 1-15-16 (more)

This from Dennis McGuire, Jr.:

Here are some more pictures from the Box Alarm in Blue Island, Illinois on 1/15/2016 at 13750 S Chatham St. RNA Products

Thanks,
Dennis
firefighters at fire scene using PPV

Crews setting up ventilation fan. Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

HME fire engine

Engine 2133 was first-in. Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

Evergreen Park FD Snorkel

Evergreen Park Snorkel Squad 3 setting up but not used. Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

Evergreen Park FD Snorkel

Evergreen Park SS3. Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

Calumet Park firefighters

Firefighters Mike Lonkar and Marty Rita of the Calumet Park Fire Department. Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

firefighters at fire scene

First-in engine crew regrouping. Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

smoke from warehouse fire

Front of fire building. Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

firefighters at fire scene

Posen truck on side d. Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

And from Tim Olk:

fire scene on Blue Island Posen fire truck

Tim Olk photo

firefighters pose after fire

Tim Olk photo

fier scene

Tim Olk photo

fire chief at fire scene

Tim Olk photo

Evergreen Park FD Snorkel Squad 3

Tim Olk photo

Evergreen Park FD Snorkel Squad 3

Tim Olk photo

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Funeral for Oak Park Firefighter Kenneth Harris (more)

More photos from the funeral for Oak Park Firefighter Kenneth Harris (1/16/16)

fire department funeral

Larry Shapiro photo

fire department honor guard carries casket

Larry Shapiro photo

fire department honor guard carries casket

Larry Shapiro photo

funeral procession for firefighter

Larry Shapiro photo

funeral procession for firefighter

Larry Shapiro photo

funeral procession for firefighter

Larry Shapiro photo

funeral procession for firefighter

Larry Shapiro photo

IAFF fire department pipe and drum band

Larry Shapiro photo

fire department honor guard folds flag

Larry Shapiro photo

fire department honor guard at funeral

Larry Shapiro photo

more photos at shapirophotography.net

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