Archive for June 5th, 2017

Elgin Fire Department news

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Elgin Fire Chief Dave Schmidt said that in December the fire department purchased a practice drone and one that will be used in the field with a sophisticated forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera system. The camera cost $9,000 and the two drones a combined $3,000.

The police and fire departments will begin using the equipment in the field after a presentation to be given the city council. Eventually, other departments might find uses for the drones, such as public works surveying its projects or the water department inspecting water towers and its sites.

At a hazardous materials spills, a drone could be sent up to survey the situation prior to any firefighters being sent into the impacted area. With structure fires or field fires, the drone could be deployed to see the nature of the blaze or from where the fire might be coming or be most intense. In searches for missing people, the drone could assist from above, saving time and saving money. Helicopters used in such scenarios can run upwards of $2,000 an hour.

The camera works in conjunction with a GPS mapping system. So if there were a flood, tornado, snowstorm, or other natural disaster that left an area unmarked or cleared of housing, that mapping could be used to compare how the area looked before and after the event. In those situations the drones also could be used to look for survivors and damage assessment.

Overseeing the fire department training is Battalion Chief Rich Carter. At the Elgin Police Department, Officer Kevin Snow has been training on using the drone system.

Advanced functions on the drone Elgin will be using include object avoidance and the ability to fly indoors. It’s also designed to be able to carry small objects, such as a life vest. It can stay in the air 28 to 35 minutes, and can be flown in winds up to 30 mph, but not in the rain.

State law limits how police departments can use drones. For surveillance operations, police must get a signed warrant. Any footage taken that is not used in a criminal case must later be destroyed, and drone footage is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

 

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New squad for Clarendon Hills (more)

Updated production photos of the new squad being built for the Clarendon Hills FD by Pierce so#30266

Fire truck being built for the Clarendon Hills FD (IL)

Pierce photo

Fire truck being built for the Clarendon Hills FD (IL)

Pierce photo

Fire truck being built for the Clarendon Hills FD (IL)

Pierce photo

Fire truck being built for the Clarendon Hills FD (IL)

Pierce photo

Fire truck being built for the Clarendon Hills FD (IL)

Pierce photo

Fire truck being built for the Clarendon Hills FD (IL)

Pierce photo

Fire truck being built for the Clarendon Hills FD (IL)

Pierce photo

thanks Scott

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Of interest … Firehouse Chili Contest

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Level II Haz Mat in Aurora, 6/3/17

This from Dave Weaver:

6/3/17 AURORA – Level II HazMat (Internal) Hydrochoric acid leak Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center 828 Montgomery Rd. – Video by Dave Weaver

At 6:17 p.m. on 6-3-17 the Aurora Fire Department responded to a hazardous material incident in the 800 block of Montgomery Road. Upon arrival firefighters found an unknown substance leaking from a small out-building next to the main pump house for the aquatic center. The incident was escalated to a Level II Hazardous Material Response which brought the Aurora Fire Department Hazardous Material Team to the scene. Upon investigation it was determined that the substance was hydrochloric acid, a chemical used to raise the pH of water in swimming pools. It was estimated that between 5 to 10 gallons of product leaked from a 30-gallon poly tank. The leak was noticed by an employee and 911 was called immediately. There were patrons swimming at the facility at the time of the incident and they were quickly evacuated by employees before the fire department arrival without incident. The hazardous materials team used sodium bicarbonate to neutralize the product rendering it safe for cleanup. The cause of the leak was due to a 500-gallon poly tank that was filled the day before. It is uncertain why, however the 500-gallon poly tank started to backfill with water from a pool water line and started to push product into the 30-gallon poly tank which resulted in it spilling over. At this time there is no specified dollar loss for this incident and there were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters.

SOURCE: Capt. Jim Rhodes, Public Information Officer, Aurora FD

 

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