Archive for May 23rd, 2018

Mattoon Fire Department news

Excerpts from wandtv.com:

The City of Mattoon is suing the Mattoon Firefighters Local 691 over an award that gives them the option to remove the ambulances from the City of Mattoon and to impact bargain the result of the award.  The city says the union is not complying with the arbitration, because an agreement has not been reached on the removal of the ambulances.

The union has been negotiating with the city of the successor contract since January.  The union thinks the best option is for the fire department to remain in the ambulance service and offered to reduce staff and cut department expenses to meet the city council’s monetary goals.

The city has said reducing manpower is the only way to achieve their goals. The parties have met a dozen times trying to come up with the best solution.

A separate Arbitration award was issued in April which required the city to bring the staffing level up to 30 and maintain it there in a manner consistent with the contract. Since May of last year, the city has reduced staffing to 22 members. The union says this is in direct violation of their contract.

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McHenry Township Fire Protection District news

Excerpts from the Northwestherald.com:

The McHenry Home Depot donated supplies to the McHenry Township Fire Protection District to build six dollhouse training props for a fire dynamics burn demonstration later this month.

“We are pleased that Home Depot partnered with us for this important training exercise,” Chief Tony Huemann said. “The generous donation of plywood and other supplies was used to build structures resembling large dollhouses that will allow our firefighters to get hands-on experience in a unique and creative fire and smoke flow demonstration. This is learning beyond the classroom.”

Kevin Tracz, a McHenry Township Fire Protection District resident and a firefighter in a neighboring community, volunteered his time to construct six dollhouse structures using the donated wood. As part of the training, the dollhouses will be burned, and fire behavior will be simulated by opening windows and venting the roof to show fire and smoke flow paths.

“This is a safe and visual method to show the dangers of poorly timed or undisciplined ventilation,” Huemann said. “We are very appreciative of the sponsorship of materials for this event from our friends and neighbors at the McHenry Home Depot.”

This training exercise will be in conjunction with a live burn of a house in Johnsburg at the end of May. For information about the training, call the district at 815-385-0075.

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New ladder truck for Central Stickney FPD (more)

Production photos of the New ladder truck for Central Stickney FPD

fire truck being built for the Central Stickney FPD

Central Stickney FPD photo

fire truck being built for the Central Stickney FPD

Central Stickney FpD photo

fire truck being built for the Central Stickney FPD

Central Stickney FPD photo

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House fire in Bartlett, 5-21-18

Photos and video from John Tulipano of a house fire in Bartlett 5-21-18

 

flames engulf suburban home

John Tulipano photo

Firefighters drag hose line at fire scene

John Tulipano photo

flames engulf suburban home

John Tulipano photo

flames engulf suburban home

John Tulipano photo

flames engulf suburban home

John Tulipano photo

Firefighters with hose line at house fire

John Tulipano photo

Firefighters with hose line at house fire

John Tulipano photo

Firefighters with hose line at house fire

John Tulipano photo

Firefighters with hose line at house fire

John Tulipano photo

Firefighters with hose line at house fire

John Tulipano photo

Firefighters with hose line at house fire

John Tulipano photo

Firefighters in tower ladder bucket

John Tulipano photo

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