Archive for September 7th, 2017

Freeport Fire Department news

Excerpts from the journalstand.com:

In 2001, Mike Pontius responded to an attic fire on Douglas Street that eventually took his life. The longtime Freeport firefighter was overcome with heat and never recovered from the incident. He passed away in 2016 from ailments related to the fire, giving his death “in the line of duty” status.

Mike spent 15 years after the 2001 fire dealing with ailments and an illness that eventually left him unable to walk. He never fully recovered from the 2001 fire. His wife, Dawn, says his behavior and decision-making changed, and his cognitive functions were weakened. An MRI indicated his brain was deteriorating. He suffered from seizures and spent a week in a coma.

The fire exposed him to a chemical called toluene that was found in his blood stream, causing a progression of brain damage, according to radiology reports. 

Now, his 21-year-old daughter, Kirsten, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, is learning some life lessons from her deceased father. She keeps a photo of him on her desk, talking to him when she studies, and says his perseverance still inspires her.

Kirsten recently was awarded a $3,000 scholarship from the International City/County Management Association to continue her education as a junior in the radiology program. The scholarship Kirsten was awarded is presented annually to surviving children and spouses of firefighters, police officers, and other public employees who have died in the line of duty.

 

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Of interest … model building

This from Steve Redick:

I’m going through a lot of my collection and I came upon these models.  These were custom built by my dad, one of his last real model projects. I want to share his talent with you. This was a Jim Beam liquor decanter that he customized into a CFD Bulldog engine. The details are great … gate valve, load of hose, nozzles, ground ladders, and a scratchbuilt “jockey box” with a street jack and lifeline. 

Steve Redick

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

Another build from my dad based on the Beam liquor decanter again. This one is kind of a fantasy build as several things really aren’t period accurate. All the ladders were handbuilt and varnished. I think dad was trying for a combination type company like the CFD used to run. I wanted to share this to remember what a special guy my dad was.

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

Steve Redick photo

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Vintage 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, 6-26-91

This from Eric Haak:

This week’s blast from the past is a 5-11 from June 26, 1961. The address was 2600 S. State Street with the fire breaking out on the top floor of the 7-story, Douglas Hotel around 1:45 in the afternoon. The building at one time was a grand hotel from the 1890’s but had fallen in esteem, along with the neighborhood, and was functioning as an SRO with over 500 residents at the time of the fire. The first image is looking west across State. The last image is looking south down State Street and the Dearborn Homes housing project can be seen in the background. Three of the four Snorkels were used at this fire and two Jeep pressure rigs can be seen in the images. Enjoy!

Chicago FD Hi-Ranger Snorkels at historic fire

From the collection of Eric Haak, photographer unknown

Chicago FD Hi-Ranger Snorkel at historic fire

From the collection of Eric Haak, photographer unknown

Chicago FD Hi-Ranger Snorkel at historic fire

From the collection of Eric Haak, photographer unknown

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Riverdale Fire Department history

This from Mike Summa:

This is Riverdale’s Squad 85, built on a FWD chassis.  Enjoy and comment.
Mike Summa
Riverdale FD Squad 85

Riverdale FD Squad 85. Mike Summa photo

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