Archive for September 11th, 2017

Champaign Fire Department news

Excerpts from wandtv.com:

The Champaign Fire Department has announced it is planning on utilizing unmanned aerial systems (drones) in a variety of emergency situations.

Fire department officials say they are sending eight firefighters to Parkland College to receive pilot training and Federal Aviation Administration certification.  Additionally, the firefighters will participate in hands-on training prior to using the drones during actual emergencies.

To help the Champaign Fire Department in this effort, Horizon Hobby donated two drones for use in emergencies.  Various instances where these devices could be used include during hazardous materials response, natural disasters, water and ice rescues, large fires, and live fire training exercises.

Fire officials say they hope to begin using the drones on actual emergencies by January 2018.

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9/11 Memorial Ceremony

From this morning’s 9/11 Memorial Ceremony in Northbrook from Tim Olk

Northbrook Fire Department memorial ceremony for 9/11

Tim Olk photo

Northbrook Fire Department memorial ceremony for 9/11

Tim Olk photo

Northbrook Fire Department memorial ceremony for 9/11

Tim Olk photo

Northbrook Fire Department memorial ceremony for 9/11

Tim Olk photo

Northbrook Fire Department memorial

Tim Olk photo

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Engine 61 Museum tour (more)

This from Brian Kazmierzak:

Al Kirchner is the retired Chief of the US Marine Corp Fire Service and a life long Fire Buff of the Chicago FD especially Engine 61 and the 16th Battalion when it ran out of Engine 45 under the auspices of Bill Foran and company.

Al was a Notre Dame student firefighter who grew up on Long Island NY and ended up becoming personal friends of Commissioner Quinn.

After Notre Dame Al went on to work for the Washington DC FD and then the USFA and eventually the Superintendent National Fire Academy.

Al has made his Chicago memories come alive for one of the most fanned firehouses in Chicago!

For those of us that fanned at Engine 61 this place conjures up great memories. For me it was with Lt. Pat Durkin and in the end Capt. Keith Witt.

In an interesting turn of events Keith Witt retired out of the CFD as a chief in the 18th Battalion and now works with me at Penn Twp FD IN.

Chicago FD Engine 61 badge

Brian Kazmierzak photo

CFD Engine 61 Museum

Brian Kazmierzak photo

CFD Engine 61 Museum

Brian Kazmierzak photo

CFD Engine 61 Museum

Brian Kazmierzak photo

vintage Chicago FD helmet

Brian Kazmierzak photo

CFD Engine 61 Museum

Brian Kazmierzak photo

CFD Engine 61 Museum

Brian Kazmierzak photo

CFD Engine 61 Museum

Brian Kazmierzak photo

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As seen around … Thornton

Thornton FD HME/Custom Fire/TeleSqurt

Thornton FD Truck 747 in the original colors.

Thornton FD HME/Custom Fire/TeleSqurt

Thornton FD TeleSqurt 45 in the the department’s new colors.

thanks Dennis

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