Archive for March 10th, 2021

Fatal fire in Des Plaines, 1-27-21 (more)

Excerpts from Fox32chicago.com:

A fire in Des Plaines that killed four children and their mother in January likely started at least seven minutes before anyone called 911. Firefighters were challenged by a rapidly evolving scene that included more victims than initially expected and fire blocking the only stairwell to the family’s apartment, according to a 43-page report released Tuesday by the Des Plaines Fire Department that provides a timeline and video of the city’s response to the blaze at 714 W. Oakton St.

The cause of the Jan. 27 fire remains undetermined, but the report said the blaze began at the top of the only stairwell leading to the second-floor apartment where the family was found. A space heater and extension cord were found in the area. The apartment had a second exit — a small balcony — but it didn’t have stairs to the ground level, the report states.

According to a timeline of events, surveillance video shows a bright flash of light in the second-floor window at 10:03 a.m., indicting a possible fire. It wasn’t until 10:10 a.m. that a 911 call was received, and it took another two minutes until the caller could provide an address.

A Des Plaines police officer was the first to arrive, at 10:16 a.m., and survey the building and help remove two people safely from the building. An ambulance arrived at 10:17 a.m., and the first fire engine arrived at 10:19 a.m.

Firefighters, hearing that two children may be trapped on the second floor, encountered significant smoke and fire, and knocked down flames with a hose, the report states. Within seconds, crews found the first victim in a bedroom and four others in another room.

The fatalities were Cythaly Zamodio, 25, and her daughters: Grace Espinosa, 1; Allizon V. Espinosa, 3; Genesis A. Espinosa, 5; and Renata P. Espinosa, 6. At the time, a neighbor said their father was work during the fire.

The report states that the department’s response to the fire satisfied standards set by the National Fire Protection Association and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

“Firefighters made a valiant effort to give those trapped a chance to survive by locating them and removing them from the hazardous conditions,” the report states. “The efforts of all those involved are to be commended.”

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Rockford heavy rescue squad for sale

Found at Govdeals.com:

2000 HME/Smeal heavy rescue squad for sale

2000 HME/Smeal heavy rescue squad for sale

Auction Ends 3/13/21 4:27 PM ET

Remaining 2 Days 21 Hrs

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Buyer’s Premium12.50%

Starting Bid $100.00

Bids14High Bidder f****************m

Current Bid $3,500.00

Bid Increment $50.00

Minimum Bid $3,550.00

2000 HME/Smeal heavy rescue squad for sale

2000 HME/Smeal heavy rescue squad for sale

thanks Martin

 

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Rosemont reserve tower ladder for sale

Found at govdeals.com:

1995 E-ONE Hurricane 95' tower ladder for sale

1995 E-ONE Hurricane 95' tower ladder for sale

 

1995 E-One Hurricane 95ft Platform Aerial

Auction Ends 3/31/21 11:00 AM ET

Remaining20 Days 21 Hrs

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Buyer’s Premium12.50%

Starting Bid$1.00

Bids6High Bidders************8

Current Bid$1,000.00

Bid Increment$25.00

Minimum Bid$1,025.00

Taken out of service in 2016 due to a seized engine. Detroit 8V-92TA engine was rebuilt in October 2019. Hale QSMG150 pump rebuilt in January 2020. Aerial and pump both passed inspection in July 2020. Paperwork will be provided. Please see spec sheets in photos to see more. Some gauges and lights may not work. Air system has small leaks. A/C and heat does not work. Check engine lights is illuminated. Code is 53. This could indicate an issue with the ECM. No other equipment such as ground ladders, hoses, tools, ect. included in this auction. Some service manuals and filters have been left in the cab. Body has scratches, dents and corrosion in some spots. Rub rail and body panel damaged on passenger side as seen in photo. There is a hydraulic leak on the left side of the turn table. It may just be a fitting that needs to be tightened but fluid can be seen on the edge of the turn table in the photos.

If you would like to inspect the vehicle, please call in advance.

From our archives:

1995 E-ONE Hurricane 95' tower ladder for sale

Larry Shapiro photo

thanks Martin

 

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Glenview Fire Department news (more)

Excerpts from the Journal-Topics.com:

Glenview Fire Station 13 will remain in operation after village trustees directed the fire chief and village manager to change course and operate the fire department with a five-station footprint at a special village board meeting Monday.

The change came after a crowd of about 300 rallied in front of the fire station last Saturday, yard signs saying “Save Fire Station 13” began cropping up all over town, and more than 50 people called into Monday’s Zoom-based village board meeting.

Residents, mostly from the east side, and firefighters not only from Glenview but other communities, called into the meeting, many with heartfelt personal stories of calling 911 and having firefighters respond to medical emergencies and even house fires. Several residents living near Station 13 pleading for the station to remain open recounted how they called 911 and could hear the sirens blaring as crews left the station before they got off the phone.

After the public comment period, village trustees agreed to move forward with a five-station plan. Several trustees then supported the use of jump companies village-wide. 

On the expanded use of jump companies, Glenview Professional Firefighters Association Local 4186 Union President Jesse Gallagher said he had concerns. Most Glenview firefighters are also certified paramedics, but he said how fire crews gear up to respond to a fire or medical call are different. 

“The challenge is the next call,” Gallagher said. “What we leave with is what we have. We often go straight from one call to another.” He said when a first call is a medical call and the second is a structure fire, that can create difficulties. He said paramedics would bring fire turnout gear with them on an ambulance run, but would not return to the station to swap vehicles.

Many callers were critical of what they said was a lack of transparency in making such an important decision. 

Village President Jim Patterson said the decision made on closing Station 13 at the Tuesday, Feb. 2 meeting could be made without village board approval as it was an operational decision, but said the issue was posted on that board meeting’s agenda. The issue was posted as a discussion of a consultant’s report on fire department operations. Trustees acknowledged shortcomings in the area of transparency and communication on the issue.  

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Aurora Fire Department news

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Aurora aldermen are likely to approve the one-year agreement with the Aurora Fire Officers Association at the regular city council meeting Tuesday night. The agreement would continue a contract between the city and the fire officers that expired Dec. 31, 2020. It would run until Dec. 31, 2021. According to the city’s human relations director, both sides decided on the rollover because of uncertainties caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The city would likely be in a more stable position later in 2021. The union approved the rollover Feb. 25.

The fire officers would get a 2% wage increase for the year, and in return agreed to up their employee insurance contribution to 16.5%. They also agreed to a higher deductible for the health care plan. The rollover agreement also lowers the amount of time a fire officer commits to a special team when joining. The commitment will go from five years to four years. Special teams include: the Hazmat Team; the Scuba Team; the TRT Team; a team that focuses on juvenile fire setters; the Arson Team; car seat installers; and the TEMS team.

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