Archive for August 24th, 2017

Knollwood Fire Department news

From the friendsofknollwoodfire.com:

IDOT and the Rt. 176/Rt. 41 Interchange

One argument that has been used to create a sense of urgency in dissolving the Knollwood Fire Department is the 176/41 interchange plan.

For at least 20 years, the Illinois Department of Transportation has been talking about reconfiguring that interchange – it’s clearly not an optimal design, especially now that traffic in the area has increased so much. If that takes place, it will probably necessitate relocation of the Knollwood Fire Station, at IDOT’s expense. However, despite much talk and a few public meetings in the last few years, the interchange reconfiguration is not in IDOT’s FY 2018-2023 plan, nor is there funding for it on the horizon.

We have received confirmation of that in a recent email exchange with IDOT; below are a some excerpts. Read the full thread here.

“The general scope of work for this improvement consists of interchange and intersection reconstruction, bridge replacement, bicyclist and pedestrian accommodations, and drainage improvements including the relocation of the pump station for the US 41 at IL 176 interchange (Pump Station 37).  The relocation of Pump Station 37 and associated drainage improvements are included in the Department’s FY 2018-2023 Proposed Highway Improvement Program. The remainder of the project is not currently included in the multi-year program.”

?“The interchange project is not in our current multi-year program, so there is no immediate need to relocate the fire station.”

From the FriendsofKnollwood Facebook page:

In reference to the Daliy Northshore article, here is a rational thought to calm the false narrative that the station is going to be “demolished”

This article may give an incorrect impression of the timeline for the overall interchange project. While it’s true that IDOT intends the pumping station and drainage improvements to take place in the relatively near future, the “demolition of the current Rockland Fire Protection District fire station” Mr. Irvin refers to is NOT imminent.

We have documentation from IDOT that the full interchange reconstruction project is still NOT in IDOT’s 5-year plan: “The interchange project is not in our current multi-year program, so there is no immediate need to relocate the fire station.” (Read more www.friendsofknollwoodfire.com/idot-emails.)

Therefore, loss of access to the current fire station is NOT a factor in the current. controversy regarding the threatened dissolution of the Knollwood Fire Department.

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2-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, 8-22-17 (more)

This from Steve Redick:

It was deja vu … the old Zenith industrial complex that has had several other fires including a still and box I took in a few months ago. Most of the fire appeared to be in the top floor and roof area and was really showing a lot of heavy smoke for a while. Little or no interior operations due to hazardous building conditions. Three towers, Snorkel,  a few ladder pipes and a deck gun were used. It was right at sunset so the photos were all taken in rapidly changing lighting conditions. The video and all the images can be seen at my website here:

heavy smoke from warehouse fire

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Engine 125

Steve Redick photo

warehouse fire scene in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Truck 58

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Squad 2A at work

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 14

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 14

Steve Redick photo

Chicago Fire Department Tower Ladder 14

Steve Redick photo

Chicago Fire Department Engine 117

Steve Redick photo

Chicago Fire Department Squad 2A

Steve Redick photo

elevated master streams at work

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 10

Steve Redick photo

E-ONE tower ladder at night

Steve Redick photo

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Historic 5-11 Alarm plane crash in Chicago, 11-24-59

This from Eric Haak:

The following images are from the morning of November 24, 1959. TWA flight 595 experienced trouble on take off and attempted to return to Midway Airport. According to the official crash report, the pilot’s actions caused the Super Constellation to “gain an excessive rate of sink” on approach and it slammed into residences around 64th and Knox just after 5:30am (CFD records I have seen have the still time as 0524). The Chicago Fire Department’s response to this incident would eventually be raised to a 5-11. All 3 occupants of the cargo plane and 8 on the ground were killed. Firefighters working the fireground include members wearing helmets from Engines 127, 88, 97, 53, Squads 12 and 3 as well as Trucks 42 and 16. Also, Commissioner Quinn is shown standing amongst the rubble with his driver and a Chief Fire Marshall.

Firefighters work at an airplane crash site 11-24-59 in Chicago

Vintage photo from November 24, 1959 of a crash site near Midway Airport in Chicago of TWA flight 595. Eric Haak collection, photographer unknown

Firefighters work at an airplane crash site 11-24-59 in Chicago

Eric Haak collection

Firefighters work at an airplane crash site 11-24-59 in Chicago

Eric Haak collection

Firefighters work at an airplane crash site 11-24-59 in Chicago

Eric Haak collection

Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Robert J Quinn

Eric Haak collection

airplane crash site 11-24-59 in Chicago

Eric Haak collection

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As seen around … NIPSTA

This from Tim Olk:

Nipsta Fire Academy Firefighter Academy Live Fire

firefighter academy training with propane fire

Tim Olk photo

firefighter academy training with propane fire

Tim Olk photo

firefighter academy training with propane fire

Tim Olk photo

firefighter academy training with propane fire

Tim Olk photo

firefighter academy training with propane fire

Tim Olk photo

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