This from Eric Haak:
Here are some images from Chicago’s 2-11 Alarm on the southbound Stevenson Expressway east of Cicero Avenue. The incident was apparently the result of a car rear-ending a semi carrying paint just before 11 o’clock Monday morning (7/25). The best I could do was show the extensive in-line operation up the exit ramp to the crash site. Engines pumping in order from the farthest hydrant were 99-32-38-15-127. 652 responded from Midway Airport but I was only able to get a picture of them as they flew up the off-ramp.
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Firefighters found a body in the burning wreckage of a crash on the Stevenson Expressway Monday morning that involved at least two semis, a van, and two cars, according to state police.
The accident happened around 10:55 a.m. on the outbound lanes of the expressway between Pulaski Road and Cicero Avenue.
The body was found hours later in the van after the extra-alarm fire had been extinguished.
One person was taken to a hospital and was reported stable, according to state police, who said the injuries were not considered life-threatening. Three other people declined medical attention, Langford said.
Langford said it appeared the accident was a chain reaction, but it was not clear which vehicle crashed first. Fire crews used foam to put out the fire, which was spread about 120 feet across the interstate.
One semi was hauling more than 17,800 pounds of paint, which fueled the fire, and the other was carrying about 40,000 pounds of frozen meat.
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#1 by Bill Post on July 29, 2016 - 6:30 PM
There is no question that this tragic accident and fire was really quite a challenge for the crews on the scene considering that to do an inline hook up. I know that somewhat into the fire they were able to have 652 Crash Wagon 2 to respond from Midway but I’m wondering if any of the first Engines that were on the scene had any immediate foam capabilty. I know that Chicago at one time did have a few Engines companies that were equipped a small 40 gallon foam tank on board that could be put to use quickly. Perhaps Engine 127 from Midway airport may have that capability and perhaps Engine 32 or Engine 34 also? I know that at one time they did have a small foam booster tank on board but I’m not sure if they still do because this was some time ago when they were assigned other apparatus then what they currently are using.
It is ironic that since Chicago is getting some new E/One Engines that the last batch of E/One Engines had purchased in 1988 (11 enclosed cab E/Ones) all were delivered with 40 gallon foam tanks on board.
Those 6 famous but short lived Ward La France/E/One /Ranger rebuilt 2000 gpm pumpers that were rebuilt in 1989/90 and were used in the movie (back draft) but otherwise didn’t stay in service for very long were each equipped with 140 gallon foam tanks and Engine 34 was one of the companies that were assigned one of them. I didn’t hear if they had even requested the bulk foam carrier 632 from Engine 28’s house to respond or not.
An interesting thing is that for a relatively short period of time in the mid 1990’s the Chicago fire department did have a few older reserve Crash Wagons that were assigned to some fire stations that were near the expressway so that they could be used around the city for Volatile fire Incidents such as this one. In 1995 reserve Crash Wagon 6512 was assigned to Engine 34’s quarters and Crash Wagon 6511 was assigned to Engine 106’s quarters. One may have at one time been assigned to Engine 80’s quarters of course one had also been assigned to Meig Field as they were an airport.
It just might make some sense if the CFD had some units out in the field with some quick foam capabilities besides at the airports. I know that Chicago has the foam task force which runs out of O”Hare Field but why not have a few old ARFF units located in city proper where they can be cross manned if they are needed like the Reserve Snorkel and the other special duty units are?
#2 by LFD 543 on July 29, 2016 - 12:42 AM
Does anyone know where I can find a recording of the radio traffic for this incident? Thanks in advance.