Archive for March 7th, 2018

Springfield Fire Department news

Excerpts from the sj-r.com:

Springfield Fire Chief Barry Helmerichs will retire at the end of the month after almost three years as chief.  Of the five division chiefs, Bob Marfell, division chief of training, retired Monday and Mark Hart, division chief of operations, will retire March 16. Along with the division chiefs, Battalion Chief Edward Gillespie retired last week, and Battalion Chief Bill Carmean will retire Friday. The three other division chiefs, Chris Richmond, Jeph Bassett and Lyndal Neighbours will not retire this year.

When Helmerichs was appointed chief in 2015, he said he would regain the city’s Class 1 rating. At the time, the city had a Class 3 ISO rating. In 2017, Springfield achieved a Class 2 rating, and in January, it a Class 1 rating, without a significant change in funds.

He is equally proud of the push for advanced medical training for firefighters. Last year, the department increased the number of people who recovered from heart attacks by 600 percent. Additionally, the department’s turnout time has dropped by 16 percent over the last two years.

Helmerichs was born and raised in Springfield, and has been with the fire department for 26 years.

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Crash and Level II Haz Mat incident in Aurora, 3-6-18

This from Dave Weaver:

3/6/18 AURORA – HazMat Response for Diesel Spill into Fox River after Crash – According to the Aurora FD, at 10:23 a.m., they responded to the intersection of Galena Blvd. and Highland Ave. for a two-vehicle injury accident involving a passenger vehicle and a semi tanker truck. Upon arrival, firefighters found the truck leaking diesel fuel from one of its saddle tanks that was damaged when the crash occurred. The driver of the passenger vehicle, a 24-year-old Aurora man and his passenger, a 25-year-old Aurora woman, were transported to an area hospital for minor injuries. The truck driver, a 55-year-old man from Long Point, IL refused medical treatment.

Due to the amount of leaking diesel fuel, a Level II Hazardous Material Response was needed which brought specialized equipment and firefighters trained to handle hazardous material incidents to the scene. It was estimated that between 50-60 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from the truck which then entered the storm sewer system before it could be fully contained. It was further estimated that approximately 40 gallons of fuel subsequently entered the storm sewer system and traveled to the Fox River at a discharge point in the 400 block of South River St., about one mile from the original crash site. The Aurora Water and Sewer Department was contacted and they were quickly able to determine the exact location where the fuel was entering the river. The Aurora FD Hazardous Material team responded to this location and was able to contain the fuel limiting the spread into the river. A private environmental cleanup contractor was contacted by the trucking company to clean the area where the crash occurred, the storm sewer, and section of the Fox River.

Due to the nature of the incident, the Aurora Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Coast Guard were notified. The Montgomery FD and North Aurora FD assisted in the mitigation of the incident which was terminated at 12:48 p.m. Drinking water was not affected.

Video by Dave Weaver

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Commercial fire in Skokie, 3-6-18

This from Steve Redick:

Oakton and Lincoln in downtown Skokie, 5041 W. Oakton. I watched this building burn down in the 70’s when it was DeWitts Shoe store. Originally I thought this was gonna be the Ace Hardware, an old truss roof joint with a big basement. Pretty much done when I arrived but got a few rig shots.

commercial fire in Skokie

Steve Redick photo

Skokie FD Squad 18

Steve Redick photo

Skokie Firefighters at work

Steve Redick photo

Skokie Firefighters on scene

Steve Redick photo

Skokie FD Engine 17

Steve Redick photo

commercial fire in Skokie

Steve Redick photo

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New ambulance for Deerfield FPD

From the Foster Coach Sales website

new ambulance for the Deerfield Bannockburn FPD

Foster Coach Sales photo

thanks Ron

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