Archive for April, 2018

Waukegan Fire Department news

Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:

A three-alarm fire burned through an apartment building in Waukegan Saturday as flames and smoke poured out of the 84-unit building on the 8000 block of Eighth Street.

Fire officials said the building had significant damage, but some residents may be able to re-enter their apartments after a few days. No injuries have been reported. According to the Red Cross, as many as 100 people may be displaced by the fire.

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Lake County offered to house any veterans displaced by the blaze at Rodeway Inn on Greenbay Road in Waukegan. 

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New ambulance for Brookfield (more)

Brookfield Ambulance 414

Brookfield FD Ambulance 414

Brookfield FD Ambulance 414. Chi-Town Fire Photos

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Glenside FPD news

Excerpts from wgntv.com:

At least 8 teenagers were injured when a gas can exploded during a backyard bonfire Saturday night. A parent of one of the teens said perhaps 10 students were sitting around the fire when a gas can left too close to the flames exploded injuring teens ranging in age from 14 to 17 years old. One boy was burned over much of his body, two girls will need facial reconstruction surgery, and one is in a coma with a breathing tube.

The father of one of the victims said no parents were home when the explosion happened. Neighbors heard several pops and a big boom around 10 p.m. Saturday night, followed by emergency workers flooding the neighborhood.

The bonfire was attended by students from Glenbard East High School. Several of the victims were taken to Loyola University Medical Center’s burn unit. The Glenside FPD and Glendale Heights Police are investigating.

thanks Scott

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Barn fire in Sugar Grove, IL – 4-26-18

This from Dave Weaver:

4/26/18 SUGAR GROVE – General Alarm Barn Fire Mighell Rd. north of Baseline Rd. – Video by Dave Weaver

 

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Bloomington Fire Department news

Excerpts from the pantagraph.com:

Bloomington’s firefighters will get a second set of turnout gear. The city council voted unanimously to award a $282,000 contract to Municipal Emergency Services of Deerfield for 100 complete sets of turnout gear.

The vote Monday followed Bloomington Fire Chief Brian Mohr explaining that the move will allow firefighters to rotate gear in and out of service for cleaning, which reduces the risk of exposure to cancer-causing residue.

“NIOSH, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, reports that firefighters have a 14 percent greater chance of dying from cancer than the general public, and are twice as likely to get skin cancer, testicular cancer and mesothelioma” he said. 

Research suggests that an increased exposure to known carcinogens in smoke contribute to those statistics.  Having a clean set of turnout gear to wear would add to other protocols such as showers and decontaminating wipes for helmets, masks and other equipment.

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Working fire in Schiller Park, 4-25-18 (more)

This from Steve Redick:

Had a chance to take in an unusual job on Wednesday at a records building/chapel in a large cemetery. There were roofers working on the building at the time and I imagine that related to the fire’s origin. The sole water supply was from the Schiller Park engine which supplied two 2-1/2 hand lines and a LDH, 4-inch. The fire consumed the entire roof and attic area and was ultimately contained by a tower ladder master stream from Norwood Park. The brand new Schiller Park E-one truck was utilized but I think they had some kind of issue with the waterway resulting in an unusual operation with a handline from the tip. Some unusual photos to be had with all the headstones and monuments around the fire building along with the ornate construction of the chapel itself. Here’s a link to all the images 

Steve

Firefighters battle roof fire

Steve Redick photo

Firefighters battle roof fire

Steve Redick photo

Firefighters battle roof fire

Steve Redick photo

Norwood Park FPD Truck 104

Steve Redick photo

Norwood Park FPD Truck 104

Steve Redick photo

Schiller Park FD Truck 5

Steve Redick photo

elevated master streams work at a fire

Steve Redick photo

Schiller Park FD Squad 5

Steve Redick photo

Schiller Park FD Truck 5

Steve Redick photo

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Box Alarm fire in North Riverside, 4-28-18

This from Jeff Braun, Jr.

Here are some photos of the Box Alarm fire in North Riverside (4/28/18). Initial calls came in for a fire alarm at the Big Corner Tavern (8405 Cermak Rd.) Engine 808 arrived on scene and reported a 2-story, mixed occupancy with heavy smoke and fire from the second floor. They immediately requested the box alarm assignment. Truck 904 set their aerial up to the roof in the alpha sector, while Berwyn Chief 900 assumed command of the scene. Forest Park Engine 401 was setup in the rear of the building and Broadview Engine 7 tapped the hydrant on the corner of 2nd and Cermak. Crews from North Riverside, Berwyn, Broadview, Forest Park, Lyons, Riverside, Oak Park, LaGrange Park, Stickney, and Cicero were on scene, and River Forest was due on the COQ. Companies were in the process of overhaul on my arrival. -Jeff Braun Jr. (COUNTY-WIDE FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY)

Cicero FD Truck 2

Jeff Braun Jr. COUNTY-WIDE FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

Firefighters after battling a fire

Jeff Braun Jr. COUNTY-WIDE FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

Firefighters on building roof with aerial ladder

Jeff Braun Jr. COUNTY-WIDE FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

Berwyn FD Truck 904

Jeff Braun Jr. COUNTY-WIDE FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

fire scene in North riverside IL

Jeff Braun Jr. COUNTY-WIDE FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

fire scene in North riverside IL

Jeff Braun Jr. COUNTY-WIDE FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

Oak Park FD Engine 603

Jeff Braun Jr. COUNTY-WIDE FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

Firefighters on scene with ladder

Jeff Braun Jr. COUNTY-WIDE FIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

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Westmont Fire Department news

New buggy for Westmont

Westmont FD Battalion Chief

Chi-Town Fire Photos

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Evanston Fire Department news

Excerpts from the DailyNorthwestern.com:

Evanston aldermen approved agreements with the police and firefighter unions at a council meeting Monday, authorizing city manager Wally Bobkiewicz to execute the contracts.

The Fraternal Order of Police Sergeant Union and the International Association of Fire Fighters Union both called for 3 percent wage increases for the next fiscal year. The documents state that the increases are higher than last year to account for changes to health insurance plans that went into effect on Jan. 1.

In both contracts, the city agreed to return vacation time that had been deducted last year in exchange for each union withdrawing complaints they had filed with the Illinois Department of Labor and Illinois Labor Relations Board about that removal.

FOP members were also credited with 24 hours of compensatory time for agreeing to the contract and an increase in the annual education incentive. Employees who possess a bachelor’s degree or higher from a college or university will receive an additional $1,900 stipend.

Sergeants can also participate in a voluntary physical fitness exam administered by the Evanston Police Department and can receive $500 for passing as an incentive to maintain physical fitness.

IAFF members received 30 hours of compensatory time since they agreed to not have a wage increase in 2017. This year, the union will receive a 2.75 percent retroactive increase for last year, and a 3 percent increase for 2018.

According to city documents, the IAFF agreement largely remained the same as last year. Negotiations for the next contracts with both unions will take place in the fall.

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New ambulance for Wauconda

From the Foster Coach Sales Facebook page:

Brand new custom Horton conversion on a Ford F550 chassis.

Wauconda Fire District ambulance

Foster Coach Sales photo

Wauconda Fire District ambulance

Foster Coach Sales photo

Wauconda Fire District ambulance

Foster Coach Sales photo

chevron striping on back of ambulance

Foster Coach Sales photo

interior of new ambulance

Foster Coach Sales photo

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