Archive for February 1st, 2019

Chicago Heights Fire Department news

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Chicago Heights police arrested Chicago Heights Firefighter Michael Janusek, a 12-year member of the department who also serves as its EMS coordinator, on Jan. 25 after a month-long investigation, police chief Thomas Rogers said in a statement. Janusek is charged with felony theft and official misconduct for allegedly misappropriating money from the Chicago Heights Fire Department’s foreign fire tax fund. He is currently free on a $25,000 unsecured bond after being released from custody Saturday. His status with the Chicago Heights Fire Department was not immediately known.

The police investigation found that approximately $6,000 worth of merchandise purchased with fund money, which state statute says must be used for the maintenance, use and benefit of the department, had not been authorized by the fund’s board of directors.

Janusek’s attorney Robert Olson said his client denied any wrongdoing and was still in the dark about the allegations. Olson said his client was a member of the Chicago Heights Foreign Fire Insurance Board, whose officers are responsible for spending the allotted foreign fire funds that Janusek is alleged to have stolen.

Foreign fire tax funds are derived from the insurance taxes companies outside the state pay to the Illinois Municipal League, which in turn distributes the money it collects to individual departments for use as they see fit.

Janusek, who also worked part-time as a police officer in Crestwood, resigned his position there earlier this week after the charges were announced.

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Still & Box Alarm fire in Chicago, 1-31-19

This from Eric Haak:

The Chicago Fire Department continued a busy two days of firefighting in sub-zero temperatures with this Still & Box Alarm at 2949 North Luna Avenue in the 7th Battalion. A working fire was confirmed just before 1:30pm on Thursday (1/31) and the alarm was elevated very shortly afterward. Companies were interior for over a half hour before going defensive and remained on the scene for nearly 4 hours.

fire engulfs a Chicago bungalow in frigid weather

Eric Haak photo

fire engulfs a Chicago bungalow in frigid weather

Eric Haak photo

Firefighters battle fire as it engulfs a Chicago bungalow in frigid weather

Eric Haak photo

Firefighters with hose line in the winter

Eric Haak photo

Firefighters carry ladder covered with ice at winter fire scene

Eric Haak photo

Firefighters with hose line in the winter

Eric Haak photo

Chicago FD Engine 68 with lines off

Eric Haak photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 23 at work

Eric Haak photo

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Markham Fire Department history

This from Mike Summa for #TBT:

For TBT-The Markham Fire Dept.’s Engine 1531, a 900 series American LaFrance with unknown specs. Photo taken in front of then station 1 off Kedzie Ave.
Mike Summa
Markham FD Engine 1531 - 900 Series American LaFrance pumper

Mike Summa photo

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New rescue unit for Northbrook

From the Custom Truck and Body Works Facebook page:

Recent Delivery: Northbrook Fire Department recently picked up their new 2018 Freightliner M2 rescue unit! We would like to thank Northbrook Fire Department for their business.

2018 Freightliner M2 rescue unit for the Northbrook FD

Custom Truck and Body Works photo

thanks Ronald

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