Archive for June 24th, 2017

Sycamore Fire Department news

Jun 24

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | Comments off

Developers of new multi-story buildings in Sycamore would have to design elevators to accommodate the size of ambulance cots under a proposal city officials are considering.

If the city council votes to amend city code, the elevators in any new building developed in Sycamore would have to accommodate the size of a 2-foot-by-7-foot stretcher in the horizontal, open position. Currently, only buildings with four or more stories are required to have elevators with these dimensions.

Sycamore Fire Chief Pete Polarek told city council members Monday that once the fire department becomes engaged in the building review process, developers typically have already spent money on materials for smaller elevators.

Minimum elevator size requirements that meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards will only fit stretchers in the upright, seated position. Polarek said firefighters might have to interrupt chest compressions on a patient experiencing cardiac arrest if they have to navigate them down stairs.

The city would not be asking for older buildings to be retrofitted, but the requirement would be in place for future construction.

thanks Dan

Tags: fire department wants building elevators to accommodate a horizontal stretcher, Sycamore Fire Chief Pete Polarek, Sycamore Fire Department

Schaumburg Fire Department news

Jun 24

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Excerpts from the villageofschaumburg.com:

Schaumburg Village Manager Brian Townsend is pleased to announce the selection of James G. Walters as the new Schaumburg fire chief. Walters currently serves as the fire chief for the Village of Skokie.

Chief Walters, who will be sworn in on August 25, 2017, brings a wealth of experience to the position. For the past 31 years, he has served the Village of Skokie in the roles of firefighter paramedic, lieutenant, captain, deputy chief of operations, and deputy chief of administration. He has been the fire chief for the past two years.

Chief Walters holds numerous State of Illinois Fire Marshal certifications including the requirements for Chief Fire Officer; he is certified in Supervision of Fire Personnel from the Northwestern Illinois University Traffic Institute; is an NFPA Certified Fire Inspector; is certified in incident command and is NIMS compliant; and retains his Illinois State EMT-B license. Chief Walters holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Northeastern Illinois University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management.

Chief Walters will receive an annual salary of $150,000. He is well-versed in the requirements of the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) process to evaluate performance of fire departments, which is currently underway in Schaumburg and expected to be received in the spring of 2018. Chief Walters also has substantial experience with financial administration and strategic planning.

Chief Walters will be filling the vacancy left by Schaumburg Fire Chief David Schumann, who announced his plan to retire earlier this year after 38 years of service with the fire department. Chief Schumann will retire effective Friday, August 25, ending an 18-year tenure as chief.

Townsend’s recommendation will be submitted to the Village Board at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 27.

thanks Dan

Tags: new fire chief in Schaumburg, Schaumburg Fire Department, Skokie Fire Chief James Walters

Marengo Fire Protection District news

Jun 24

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News, New Delivery | Comments off

Excerpts from the nwherald.com:

The Marengo Fire Protection District honored an old tradition recently with a dedication ceremony for a new fire engine.

The department bought a 2017 Pierce Enforcer for $460,000 which will replace Engine No. 1141 under the same number. The former No. 1141 will become a reserve engine – replacing a 1988 reserve engine – and be kept at Marengo Fire Station 2, at Routes 23 and 176.

A wet-down ceremony consists of taking water from the old engine and washing the new one. Firefighters then push the new engine into the station. The tradition comes from the horse-drawn era, and it has been carried on in departments nationwide since, Lt. Noel Gaines said.

“Everybody knows fire service is big on tradition,” he said. “The wipe down ceremony was such that when horses and buggies came back they would wash the horses down, and if they got a new piece of equipment, they would take the water from the old engine and sort of bless it.”

“We try to set a precedence for [following] tradition,” he said.

thanks Dan

Tags: Marengo Fire Protection District, new engine for Marengo FPD

Fire Muster and Flea Market in Chicago (more)

Jun 24

Posted by Admin in Collectors of fire memorabilia, Fire Truck photos, Historic fire apparatus | 4 Comments

This from Steve Redick:

Had a great day Saturday attending the annual Fire Buffs of Illinois/ 5-11 Club muster. Attendance seemed down this year and the amount of rigs seemed very low compared to previous years but nonetheless it was a great and fun day. Here is a sampling of some of the “hardware” I was able to see. Great to see the Skokie/Engine 87 Club Mack again this year after a lengthy absence. All the images and video can be seen on my site

Steve