Archive for June 22nd, 2017

Decatur Fire Department news

Excerpts from the herald-review.com:

Decatur FD Engine 6 that Firefighter Micah “Bubba” Wakeman rode to the rescue of countless others carried him on his final journey home Tuesday. The 16-year department veteran, who lived in Mount Pulaski and also loved farming, died in a tractor rollover accident June 13. The married father of four children was just 43.

Wakeman’s colleagues and fellow firefighters from all over Central Illinois paid their respects and offered him one last salute. Then an honor guard carried their friend from the church as other hands rose in a slow-motion salute. Proceeding slowly, and led by squad cars, symbolically one each from Decatur Police and the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, the funeral procession moved off.

It was filled with other fire, police, and emergency vehicles as it wound its way on the 3-mile journey to the interment in Warrensburg. The funeral procession passed under a ceremonial arch formed by two aerial ladder trucks supporting an American flag snapping smartly in the breeze. The bright weather had matched the upbeat tone of Wakeman’s funeral service, which was described as a tribute to an extraordinary life well-lived rather than mourning one cut short far too soon.

Wakeman’s friend Tracy Dyer said “This is not a funeral, this is a celebration … of how one not-so-little man has made an impact here and all over the world from Uganda to Haiti, to Guatemala to the Ukraine …”

Wakeman’s strong Christian faith had led him on missions work to those countries and others and to serve as a foster parent for kids in need. He was described as a caring, conscientious, and hardworking man who spent almost every waking moment lending others a hand. 

And while the atmosphere was upbeat with occasional laughter at funny stories and memories, the sadness at the departure of a good and well-loved man was there, too. Sobbing from the mourners could be heard as a message was read out from 20-year-old daughter Ashton to her dad, describing how, for once, she was lost for words to say how she was feeling.

“But the thing I can think to say, and the thing that I think we all need to say, is ‘thank you’ … thank you, God, for letting us have some of my daddy in our lives, because not many people are blessed with a Micah Wakeman …”

There were more tears punctuating an intense quiet that fell over the church sanctuary at the end of the service as a lone firefighter prepared to ring a bell nine times in three sets of three rings, the traditional way firefighters salute and bid farewell to a comrade.

In a show of solidarity and support, firefighters from Springfield and Champaign covered fire stations in Decatur on Tuesday so Decatur firefighters could attend the service. The number of Decatur firefighters present, active duty and retired, numbered more than 100.

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Beecher Fire Department history

This from Mike Summa:

For #throwbackthursday, here is Beecher’s 1960’s ALF/Pioneer.  Not too many of this model could be found in the south suburbs.  The only other one I ever saw was in Glenwood.  Please enjoy and comment.
Mike Summa
vintage photo of American LaFrance Pioneer fire engine

Beecher FD American LaFrance pioneer engine. Mike Summa photo

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Pleasantview Fire District news (more)

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Excerpts from woodtv.com:

Hundreds of police officers and firefighters from across the Midwest joined community members in Kalamazoo Wednesday to honor Comstock Township Fire Chief Ed Switalski, who was hit by a vehicle and killed last week during a call.

The chief was laid to rest with full honors, including the presentation of a duty medal, a bell ceremony, taps, a flag folding, a 21-gun salute, and his final call.

Everyone who spoke of Switalski, whether family or friend, shared a common theme: a giving heart.

“He constantly cared about others. He was there every step of the way when my Auntie Holly had breast cancer. He was there and donated his kidney when his nephew Christopher needed one,” his niece said.

Switalski leaves behind a wife and two daughters, one of whom spoke during the funeral.

“I am also honored to be the last family member to have seen and spoken to him,” Emily Switalski said. “Before he went on every call, My mom, my sister and I would always say, ‘I love you. Be safe.’ And those words were the last words I was ever able to say to him.”

Before the final call for Switalski sounded, hundreds of firefighters from Michigan, Indiana and Illinois — where Switalski worked for some 30 years before becoming chief in Comstock Township in 2013 — took part in his funeral procession.

A restored 1937 fire truck carried his body 24 miles from the funeral home through downtown Kalamazoo and Comstock Township before arriving at Wings Event Center. Firefighters in nearly 200 fire engines followed. Members of the public lined the streets to say thank you. 

The procession continued out of Kalamazoo and past Comstock’s three fire stations. Outside the station on River Street, the chief’s bunker gear and helmet were laid out on the apron as Battle Creek firefighters, filling in so Comstock crews could attend the funeral, stood by.  None of the BCFD firefighters had ever met Switalksi, but they were working on their day off to honor him. 

“Myself and the other fire fighters from Battle Creek consider this a great honor to be able to cover this station for these fire fighters and for their chief,” BCFD Lt. Lamar Mingle said.

Gov. Rick Snyder ordered all U.S. and Michigan flags lowered to half-staff Wednesday in honor of Switalski.

thanks Dan

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

Comstock FD antique fire engine

Tim Olk photo

Funeral service for  Comstock Township MI Fire Chief Ed Switalski

Tim Olk photo

funreal procession of fire trucks

Tim Olk photo

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Chicago Ridge FD news

From a reader:

Brand new Chicago Ridge Battalion 6

Chicago Ridge FD Battalion 6

Brand new Chicago Ridge Battalion 6

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