Archive for January 10th, 2018

Peoria Fire Department news

Excerpts from Peoriapublicradio.org:

Peoria Fire Chief Chuck Lauss will leave the position of chief effective January 31st. In the short term, he will help his daughter work on her house in Portland, Oregon. Long term, the 58-year-old intends to look for employment in emergency service outside the central Illinois area. He has been chief in Peoria for two years. Prior to that, he headed Caterpillar’s fire department for five years, and preceding that was fire chief for seven years in Pekin. City manager Patrick Urich is responsible for naming a replacement. Current Assistant Chief Ed Olehy is an expected candidate for the job.

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New squad for Schaumburg (more)

Photos of the new Squad 55 for Schaumburg from the final inspection at the Pierce plant

Schaumburg FD Squad 55 Schaumburg FD Squad 55 Schaumburg FD Squad 55 Schaumburg FD Squad 55 Schaumburg FD Squad 55 Schaumburg FD Squad 55

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Byron Fire Protection District news

Excerpts from byronfire.com:

This past December, Byron Fire District Chief Galen Bennett retired after 38 years of service.

Chief Bennett started his career with the Byron Fire District as a volunteer before the department had full-time firefighters.  In the early years he was involved in training with Exelon Fire Brigade members working closely with the fire marshal at the plant to establish a training program for them. Galen also was instrumental in rope and vertical rescue training before most people knew there was a true need for it. He was later involved in several haz-mat training classes to help the department prepare for these emergencies. In 2007 Galen became a deputy chief and then was appointed chief of the department in 2008. On December 9th the fire department and community celebrated his retirement which he will spend enjoying golf, officiating at track meets, and time with his family. Chief Bennett has contributed very much to the department and the community. He will be missed.

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Barn fire in Mettawa, 1-9-18

Libertyville firefighters and surrounding departments responded to a barn fire at 14060 Old School Road in Mettawa Monday afternoon (1/9/18). Countryside Chief 4100 was the first to arrive and confirmed a working fire. Companies tapped into a hydrant across the street and were able to save the exposures, but the barn was destroyed. It was reportedly a four-stall barn and the horses were able to escape though some smaller animals  perished in the blaze. The alarm was upgraded to a Box Alarm for change of quarters and the full box assignment was filled out later.

Companies at the scene included two engines, a quint, an ambulance and battalion chief from Libertyville; engines from Countryside, Knollwood, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Gurnee, and Wauconda; a Lincolnshire-Riverwoods squad; and chiefs from Countryside, Lake Forest, Mundelein, and Libertyville.

Mettawa barn destroyed by fire

Jeff Rudolph photo

Mettawa barn destroyed by fire

Jeff Rudolph photo

firefighters man a hose line

Jeff Rudolph photo

firefighter uses an axe to break a door

Jeff Rudolph photo

Countryside FPD Chief Jeff Steingart

Jeff Rudolph photo

Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Squad 51

Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Bluff FD fire engine

Larry Shapiro photo

fire trucks at barn fire

Larry Shapiro photo

fire trucks at barn fire

Larry Shapiro photo

fire trucks at barn fire

Larry Shapiro photo

Countryside FPD fire engine on scene

Larry Shapiro photo

Gurnee fire engine at scene

Larry Shapiro photo

Libertyville Battalion 46

Larry Shapiro photo

a few more photos are at Shapirophotography.net

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