Archive for June 27th, 2016

Geneva Fire Department news

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

After serving the community for more than 40 years, Geneva Fire Chief Steve Olson will be retiring June 30. Olson, of Geneva, said he intends to retire so he can explore opportunities for teaching the next crop of firefighters.

In 1974, Olson joined the ranks of the Geneva Fire Department as an on-call firefighter. He was promoted to lieutenant coming on board as a full-time employee. He was promoted to captain and deputy fire chief before becoming chief in 1996. Olson oversees 27 full-time firefighters and paramedics, and 40 paid on-call members.

Apart from working for the Geneva Fire Department, Olson served as a field instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute from 1986 to 1996.

During his time with the department, he saw the construction of two fire stations, the purchase of a new fleet of vehicles, and the implementation of technology.

New to the department was a community-based automated external defibrillator program that assisted local businesses and organizations in acquiring the devices in addition to training, installation, and maintenance. The department also developed the in-service company inspection program that ensured annual inspection of commercial properties and introduced the use of laptop computers in fire vehicles to improve firefighter and paramedic response.

In 2001, the department received accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and they have been accredited ever since. It changes the way the department does business for the better.

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Homer Township FPD news

Excerpts from the Herald-News.com:

The Homer Township Fire Protection District union is working to get a referendum on the November ballot that would allow district residents to elect their fire trustees.

Homer Township Professional Firefighters President David Curtis said union members voted unanimously in favor of the referendum. They would like to see trustees run for office so the union and taxpayers can communicate directly with those seeking a seat on the board and the union can endorse candidates, he said.

“We don’t have a voice with the current trustees,” Curtis said, clarifying that the union must communicate to the board through the fire chief and would like to be able to work with trustees directly.

The role of the district’s Board of Trustees is to supervise the chief, hire administrators, manage administrative accountability, and oversee finances and equipment purchasing, Curtis said. The fire trustees, who meet once a month, are appointed by the Homer Township Board of Trustees.

In order for the referendum to be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot, its proponents must get about 1,200 signatures – representing 10 percent of the district’s registered voters – supporting the change.

“So far, we haven’t met with any resistance,” he said, adding that many of the district’s neighboring fire agencies – including New Lenox, Lemont and Orland – have elected fire boards.

But according to Homer Township fire board Secretary Mark Lobes, there are also 11 appointed fire boards in Will County. He doesn’t have a stance on the referendum, but he would like to communicate directly with the firefighters union. He said the board learned of the referendum effort several weeks ago from Chief Bob Tutko, but has not yet spoken directly with a union representative about it.

“I’m just hoping for some communication from the union,” he said.

Lobes also said voter interest is represented in the appointee system, as the township trustees who choose the fire board are elected. He said the fire board is diverse and its members have a range of different jobs and backgrounds and always include residents of Lockport, Homer Glen and Homer Township to represent the geographic scope of the district.

According to Lobes, because the board is appointed, it is not politically motivated.

Homer Township Supervisor Pam Meyers said the township always has been open to public input about fire board appointees. “It don’t see anything wrong with the way it is,” she said. However, she also said she wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to a change.

Should the referendum be placed on the November ballot and approved by voters, residents would begin voting for fire trustees in 2017.

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Building collapse in the North Maine FPD, 5-19-16 (more)

this from Deputy Chief Drew Smith:

After action report on the Building collapse in the North Maine FPD, 5-19-16 

Microsoft Word - AfterActionCollapse-North Maine.docx

photo by Deputy Chief Drew Smith

photo by Deputy Chief Drew Smith

DesPlaines FD Tower 61

photo by Deputy Chief Drew Smith

thermal imaging of building collapse

photo by Deputy Chief Drew Smith

damage to building from explosion

photo by Deputy Chief Drew Smith

damage to building from explosion

photo by Deputy Chief Drew Smith

damage to building from explosion

photo by Deputy Chief Drew Smith

Microsoft Word - AfterActionCollapse-North Maine.docx

damage to building from explosion

photo by Deputy Chief Drew Smith

technical rescue team shores damaged building

photo by Deputy Chief Drew Smith

technical rescue team shores damaged building

photo by Deputy Chief Drew Smith

technical rescue team shores damaged building

photo by Deputy Chief Drew Smith

previous posts are HERE and HERE

 

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MVA involving CFD Engine 16, 6/25/16

This from Eric Haak:

Engine 16 was involved in a 1B accident at 39th and Wallace while responding to a working fire two blocks away 6/15616.  A pin-in response was requested shortly after Engine 16 notified the office that they had been involved.  Squad 1 was held up on the working fire and then continued on to the accident.  The last image shows the minimal damage to the engine.  One member of the engine was transported to Christ Hospital.

car accident with fire truck

Eric Haak photo

firefighters and paramedics extricate crash victim from car

Eric Haak photo

paramedics move accident victim on stretcher

Eric Haak photo

Chicago FD Engine 16

Eric Haak photo

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