Archive for November 29th, 2016

Joliet Fire Department news

Excerpts from the Herald-News.com:

Krissi Carroll, wife of Shawn Carroll, a 16-year lieutenant paramedic with the Joliet Fire Department, said a routine chest X-ray showed Shawn’s cancer had returned.

In 2012, Shawn was diagnosed with liposarcoma, a rare cancer of fat tissue, but he went in remission three and a half years ago and continued to receive regular checkups. Six months ago he had a perfectly normal CT scan, but six weeks ago, he had a routine chest X-ray that was not normal.

“The next day we learned he had a tumor, about 10 centimeters, that had developed since his prior exam,” Krissi said. “He was back to work with full duties, no complications or problems. Now he’s undergoing chemo.”

The tumor is located just outside Shawn’s lungs. In a few weeks, Shawn’s doctors will do another CT to ensure the tumor is shrinking. The goal is to prevent the tumor from invading Shawn’s lungs and to reduce its size so it can be surgically removed.

“His doctor fully expects him to recover from this and be back to work within a year,” she said.

Mike Singler, a firefighter/paramedic who works at Station 1 with Shawn, said the entire department is doing everything possible to support Shawn and his family physically, mentally, emotionally and financially.

In addition to raising funds for the family – $10,000 so far between collecting at the firehouse and the GoFundMe webpage the firefighters started – Singler said firefighters have also made numerous phone calls and visits, sent emails, invited Shawn to break bread with them at work, kept him abreast of their calls, and even raked leaves and cut the grass.

“This week we’re going to get the Christmas decorations out of the attic and help his wife decorate the house,” Singler said.

It’s this support that’s keeping Shawn going. “It helped me beat cancer and I’m confident it’s going to help me beat it again,” Shawn said.

“Every day I went to work with a smile on my face even though I knew it could be a tough day,” he said. “We’re helping people in their lowest time of need. We know what we’re doing is good.”

Shawn’s cancer battle began in October 2012. Neither one heard of liposarcoma before his diagnosis.

Fortunately, the tumor was localized and encapsulated. Doctors removed it and then Shawn underwent radiation. This second round of cancer is more challenging. Shawn is experiencing some nausea and nerve pain at the tumor site as the chemo cuts off the tumor’s blood supply.

Still, Shawn’s doctors are very optimistic.

“He is only 37 years old, and it’s much easier when you’re young to fight a cancer like this,” Krissi said. “However, it’s a very aggressive cancer.”

Krissi said firefighters are at increased risk for cancer. A recent study underscores her concern. From 2010 to 2015, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health studied 30,000 firefighters and found an increased risk of certain types of cancer, mostly digestive, oral, respiratory, and urinary cancers.

Krissi and Shawn both exhort firefighters to shower and wash their gear as soon as possible after fighting a fire to reduce their exposure to dirt and chemicals.

“It’s always been a badge of honor to have dirty gear,” Krissi said, “but they need to keep those carcinogens off them.”

 

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Chicago orders new squads (more)

Several area photographers were on hand when the CFD debuted the new squad apparatus today at Northerly Island.

Chicago FD squads built by Rosenbauer America

Chicago FD debuts new squad apparatus by Rosenbauer America. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD squads built by Rosenbauer America

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD squads built by Rosenbauer America

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD squads built by Rosenbauer America

Larry Shapiro photo

there will be more on this …

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New engine for Buffalo Grove (more)

Updated production photos from E-ONE of the New engine for Buffalo Grove

Fire engine being built for the Buffalo Grove FD

E-ONE photo

Fire engine being built for the Buffalo Grove FD

E-ONE photo

Fire engine being built for the Buffalo Grove FD

E-ONE photo

Fire engine being built for the Buffalo Grove FD

E-ONE photo

Fire engine being built for the Buffalo Grove FD

E-ONE photo

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Fire in Prospect Heights, 11-28-16

This from Larry Shapiro:

Prospect Heights firefighters were called to 13 Alton Road Monday morning (11/28/16) for a reported garage fire. Battalion 9 arrived with smoke showing from the attached garage of a ranch house and upgraded the alarm to a Code 4 for the working fire. Companies made entry and found the source was debris burning in the garage. After checking for extension, the Code 4 units were subsequently released.

Wheeling FD Engine 23

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview FD Engine 8

Larry Shapiro photo

Wheeling Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac

Larry Shapiro photo

fire engine and firefighters

Larry Shapiro photo

scene of house fire

Larry Shapiro photo

Prospect Heights Battalion 9

Larry Shapiro photo

Firefighters load hose onto fire engine

Larry Shapiro photo

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