Archive for May 26th, 2016

Chicago firefighters to receive PETA award

May 26

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | 1 Comment

On May 6, Chicago firefighters rescued a 5-year-old Chihuahua whose foot was stuck in his family’s bathtub drain on the Northwest Side. It took two hours for a crew of 16 people to cut through the ceiling in the apartment below and free the dog, PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals) said.

PETA made the announcement Monday that Chief Mark Altman, Battalion 8, Engine 76, Truck 35, and Squad 2 will receive their Compassionate Fire Department Award.

“Chicago’s bravest are also Chicago’s kindest, as these firefighters didn’t stop working until this little dog was free from a stressful and painful situation,” says PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA hopes their compassion and know-how will inspire others to come to the aid of animals in need.”

The fire department will receive a framed certificate, a box of vegan cookies, and a copy of The Engine 2 Diet—a Texas firefighter’s 28-day plan for staying in shape by eating a plant-based diet.

thanks Dan

Tags: Chicago Fire Department, Chicago firefighters rescue trapped dog, People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals, PETA Compassionate Fire Department Award, PETA to acknowledge firefighter efforts, PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien

CFD Deputy Commissioner McNicolas resigns after crash (more)

May 26

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | 5 Comments

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

The blood alcohol level of a high-ranking Chicago Fire Department official was still nearly twice the legal limit almost four hours after he crashed a department-issued SUV last month off Lake Shore Drive, according to city records.

The documents obtained by the Tribune under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act show that internal investigators with the fire department didn’t administer the Breathalyzer test to then-Deputy Commissioner John McNicholas until 4:32 a.m. April 20. The crash took place a little before 1 a.m. that day, while McNicholas was off-duty. He had a blood alcohol content of 0.154 percent — nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent, according to city records.

It was unclear why the fire department didn’t test McNicholas until nearly four hours after the crash or why Chicago police did not perform a Breathalyzer test and instead issued only a ticket for negligent driving. Anthony Guglielmi, chief spokesman for the Chicago Police Department, said Wednesday that the department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

“Detectives have met with prosecutors and presented their investigation,” Guglielmi said in an email. “Additional follow-up items have been requested by (prosecutors) and those are being completed. The case remains open and active.”

McNicholas resigned from the fire department shortly after the incident.

thanks Dan

Tags: CFD Deputy Commissioner fails sobriety test, CFD Deputy Commissioner John McNicolas, CFD Deputy Commissioner McNicolas resigns after crash, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, deputy commissioner of the Chicago Fire Dept has resigned, John McNicholas

House fire in Hawthorn Woods, 5-25-16

May 26

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire Department News, Fire Scene photos, Fire Scene video | 2 Comments

Lake Zurich firefighters were called to 3160 Louise Court in Hawthorn Woods Wednesday night (5/25/16) for a house fire. A series of heavy thunderstorms were moving through the area at the time. First arriving units reported smoke showing and pushing out from the eaves in front. Fire soon vented through the roof and interior companies made an aggressive attack knocking down the majority of the fire quickly. The alarm was upgraded to a Box Alarm bringing mutual aid from close to a dozen neighboring departments.