Archive for July 11th, 2019

Gary Fire Department news

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

An in-house firefighting crew is set to begin serving the Gary/Chicago International Airport Sept. 1. The transition from city firefighters to the private airport-based firefighters was expected to begin in June. That deadline wasn’t met, so the airport authority approved an extension of an agreement with the city to provide airport rescue and firefighting services through Aug. 31.

About six to eight Gary firefighters are based at the airport daily. They’ll be replaced by new personnel who will be trained and certified. The change will be a cost-saver. Personnel still need to be hired and the Gary Fire Department is vetting applicants. The new hires will be cross-trained as not only firefighters, but as operations workers, as well and will staff the airport 24 hours a day and be considered AvPORTS’ employees. Revenue from a compact agreement with the city of Chicago will be used to support the fire and rescue staffing. 

On Aug. 16-18, the airport will again serve as the staging site for the Chicago Air and Water Show.

thanks Dennis

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Fire service news

Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:

Edward Kalasa, who served in top leadership roles for the Hoffman Estates and Mundelein fire departments in the 1980s, died peacefully at his home Monday at the age of 91. Kalasa began his career with the Hoffman Estates Fire Department in September 1957 and retired as deputy chief in November 1982. He then served as Mundelein’s fire chief from 1983 to 1990.

A visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 12, at Morizzo Funeral Home, 2550 W. Hassell Road in Hoffman Estates. A final viewing and prayers will be held there from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 13.

A funeral Mass is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, July 13, at St. Hubert Catholic Church, 729 Grand Canyon in Hoffman Estates.

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Aurora Fire Department news

From the Aurora FD Facebook page:

Around 4:30 p.m. on July 9, 2019, the Aurora Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 600 block of Spruce Street on the near West Side of the City. Upon arrival firefighters found a 1-story brick building with heavy smoke showing from all sides. The business located in the building was a scrap metal recycling company. Due to the rapid spread of fire throughout the front half of the building, a 3rd Alarm was requested brining a total of 38 firefighters to the scene where an exterior defensive operation was established.

The building was divided into three sections and firefighters were able to contain the fire to the front section preventing a total loss of the entire structure. As the fire progressed the roof and an exterior wall collapsed. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians and the fire is under investigation at this time. The estimated total dollar loss is $400,000.

commercial building fire in Aurora, IL 7-9-19

Aurora Fire Department photo

commercial building fire in Aurora, IL 7-9-19

Aurora Fire Department photo

commercial building fire in Aurora, IL 7-9-19

Aurora Fire Department photo

commercial building fire in Aurora, IL 7-9-19

Aurora Fire Department photo

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Thornton Fire Department history

This from Mike Summa for #TBT:

For TBT- The Thornton Fire Dept. once utilized this Ford C/Pierce as Truck 74, then Truck 747.  I have no specs on the truck so anyone out there please feel free to inform us.
Thank you, Mike Summa
Vintage photo of a Ford C/Pierce Tele-Squrt

Mike Summa photo

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