Archive for September 27th, 2017

Des Plaines Fire Department news

Excerpts from the Journal-Topics.com:

A new contract between Des Plaines and the International Association of Fire Fighters includes changes to employee benefits and 2.75% wage increases every year for four years.

Annual 2.75% wage increases beginning retroactively for 2017 and ending in 2021 for 85 fire department employees are included in the new contract. While that figure is slightly higher than the average 1.92% wage increase for unions in Des Plaines this year, it is equal to the average wage increases in the city by 2020.

For non-officer firefighter/engineers in Des Plaines, the base 2017 annual salary will be $66,960 at just under 50 hours of work per week in the Step 1 employment position, determined by years worked in the department. By 2018, the annual salary for the same level employee at the same amount of hours will be $68,823, according to a chart included in the contract. By 2020, annual salaries for lieutenants and captains will be over $121,000 and $127,000, respectively.

Salaries also increase by $1,000, $1,500 and $2,000 after 10, 15 and 20 years with the department, respectively.

In concession for the increased salaries, the union agreed to eliminate some Preferred Provider Organization and Home Medical Insurance medical plan options. Additionally, optical insurance rates will be offered at the non-union price starting next year. Des Plaines will still offer dental insurance to fire department employees in the new contract.

The agreement contains clarified language regarding retiree health savings, which had been the source of conflict in the previous contract.

Aldermen approved the new agreement Sept. 5.

thanks Dan

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New ambulance for LaGrange Park (more)

From the Foster Coach Sales Facebook page:

Brand new custom Horton conversion on a Ford F550 chassis

La Grange Park FD Ambulance 1214

La Grange Park FD photo

La Grange Park FD Ambulance 1214

La Grange Park FD photo

La Grange Park FD Ambulance 1214

La Grange Park FD photo

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Vintage 4-11 Alarm fire 1441 S Wabash, 8-11-83

 

This from Steve Redick:

This was a real dandy. The Fire Alarm office calltaker and dispatcher was the late Dick Hyland. You can also hear Bob Phelan as well as Matt Tomlin briefly on the radio and Al Andersen was the switchboard guy that handled most of the radio stuff. I took this job in. What a night this was! The DDC was Ed Altman way before his commissioner days and the responding District Chief was Louis Galante (which explains why this wasn’t a 5-11). Some other voices you may find familiar Jim Corbett on truck 12, Bob Welch as “3a”, Bill O’Boyle on Squad 1.
 
I’m sure there are many more to be recognized upon further review. This fire turned into a real spectacle. It ignited a scrapyard at 14th & State that went to a box and it also burned up El ties along the tracks for about 2 blocks. To top it off Snorkel 1 got stuck in the partially raised position and members had to be rescued via ground ladder as the radiant heat was getting brutal. After the building collapsed they found a guy who was sleeping in a vehicle next to the fire building who had to be extricated with a hurst tool since the car was squashed by the falling wall.

I was standing too close at the time of the collapse and as I was running saw a member get knocked down by flying bricks. I believe he broke his leg … a narrow miss for me.  This was a real all time classic job. I will never forget it.

Steve

massive fire in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

massive fire in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

massive fire in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

massive fire in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

massive fire in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

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New ambulance for Central Stickney (more)

From the Fire Service Inc. Facebook page:

Central Stickney FPD has just completed their inspection on their new 2017 Type III Wheeled Coach! Aluminum interior ALS cabinet, Cool Bar and Performance Load! Heading to FSI for some dealer options and then to Illinois Fire Chiefs show on 10/9. Thanks Chief Mc Mahon!

new ambulance for the Central Stickney FPD

Fire Service, Inc. photo

new ambulance for the Central Stickney FPD

Fire Service, Inc. photo

interior of a new ambulance

Fire Service, Inc. photo

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