Excerpts from cbsnews.com:
Vandals destroyed the firehouse of the Homewood Acres Volunteer Fire Department over Memorial Day weekend in broad daylight. The discovery was made days later.
Every single one of the 11 rooms in the firehouse at 3860 183rd St. in the unincorporated community of Homewood Acres was a disaster area. Cameras caught four kids making a mess of the place.
All the kitchen cabinets were ripped off, the refrigerator was tipped over, the stove was pulled out and was leaking gas. Furniture was tipped over and strewn everywhere. The toughest blow was the firehouse flag, carrying the motto, “Trained in tradition… paid in pride.” It was ripped down, and is now covered with dirt.
Surveillance video captured the break-in early Saturday morning. First, two kids were seen throwing something into the firehouse window. They then used a stolen fire ladder to climb inside. Two other kids join them afterward. With hammers in hand, the kids went room to room. They figured out they were on security camera – and went for the camera too.
The kids took about $160 in cash, some snacks, and nothing else. But they did at least $100,000 worth of damage at the firehouse.
The Cook County Sheriff’s office says the kids are between 9 and 14 years old and is investigating using the surveillance video as well as fingerprints to try to catch those responsible.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been set up in hopes of rebuilding the fire station.
#1 by hawks66 on June 7, 2022 - 9:41 AM
Another volley talking point about 90 percent of the country being served by volunteers. Actually is about 80 percent and we are not knocking them. They actually respond calls unlike HAVFD. With that being said 80 percent of the country is volunteer but 80 percent of the population is served by full time professionals.
#2 by Mike L on June 6, 2022 - 8:50 PM
Davey B, the “duty calls” clip was made to look like he was getting a call for Homewood Acres, not a hospital transfer. They may have a charter and an OSFM number but, as pointed out, neither of those make them an active department. While they may think they have a response area, Hazel Crest covers it. They are not a recognized member of MABAS 24 nor are they dispatched by anyone. Dangerous if they jump calls in their “area” they are not called to respond to. Huge liability there. By the way, can Davey B give an accurate total of calls they were dispatched to in 2021? Any out of town calls? Seems they should have been called to Cal City last week. Nobody is knocking dedicated volunteers or part timers. It is only being pointed out that these few guys are misrepresenting themselves and an inactive fire district.
#3 by DaveyB on June 6, 2022 - 10:10 AM
Keyboard warriors, how about some facts?
1. The Department is chartered by the Secretary of State.
2. The Department is recognized by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
3. The member who “pretended” to have an emergency call works for a private Ambulance company, and when posted in the area of the station, parks at the station. More comfortable than the cab of a van for hours at a time. In fact, one of the videos shows his Ambulance.
Dennis, thank you for your support.
#4 by Cmk420 on June 5, 2022 - 10:30 PM
Garden Homes covers from 115th to 119th between Harding to Central Park. It is not an exact square, but that’s their area.
#5 by Dennis on June 5, 2022 - 9:18 PM
Well they currently cover the unincorporated area between Country Club Hills and Hazel near 183rd and Springfield. Now if Hazel Crest has been covering that area during the time FD was not functioning that’s great for the residents but still doesn’t disprove that the current members of the department aren’t trying their best and giving dedication to the area. Garden Homes which is also a volunteer fire department protecting a unincorporated area near Alsip and sometimes is not able to get out to respond to calls so either Merrionette park or Alsip will cover them. Does that mean they area not real either?
#6 by The DH on June 5, 2022 - 2:55 PM
Dennis, please factually disprove what has been said about the Homewood Acres VFD. I myself know that they don’t have a still district. What was historically their still district is currently covered by Hazel Crest.
If you don’t have a still district (or response district), how are you a fire department? Fire departments protect and serve a community. They don’t have a community.
#7 by DENNIS on June 5, 2022 - 9:13 AM
All you guys on here hiding behind your computers calling this group of dedicated members frauds, and disgusting should be ashamed of yourselves. No matter if they are affiliated with a MABAS group (do not have to be) or saying why some of these small vol. departments even exists shows the underdeveloped thinking you have. 90% of this great country is covered by volunteer fire departments large and small. This blog is used for sharing information and not for bashing departments or people because you think you know better. Honestly the only disgusting thing here is some of these comments. I know who some of you are and its very surprising to see what you have to say.
#8 by Mike D on June 5, 2022 - 5:40 AM
Special note that no one from this fire buff club known as Homewood Acres is defending their “emergency response” responsibilities… looks as though they’re busted. A few years back they did a fill the boot drive, but never gave the money to MDA. GIVE THE MONEY BACK! This is a scam.
#9 by Austin on June 4, 2022 - 10:55 AM
If any of you can direct GoFundMe to how they are not a fire department, more or less a club, they will investigate. There is a report button on the fundraising page. I would, but I am not really familiar with this “department” and you guys might have proof they need to take action.
#10 by Mike L on June 4, 2022 - 10:38 AM
The clubhouse is a trailer not attached to the building the rigs are in. There were a few things I noticed watching the interviews. Several of the “officers” including the chief have full beards. Next, the “sacred” 9/11 statue you can buy on line they claim was made from WTC steel salvaged from ground zero. Please don’t make that claim. And another sacred item is the flag that also can be bought online. Oh, and the one guy looked at his phone during the ABC 7 interview and pretended to get a run. Again, sorry your clubhouse was damaged but don’t embellish, lie and commit fraud to keep the buff club going.
#11 by Mike C on June 4, 2022 - 7:56 AM
This is pretty disgusting!
#12 by Pat on June 4, 2022 - 6:27 AM
Well someone should let the same news agency who reported the story on the news that they aren’t a fire department that runs calls. Because they got 12k in that Go Fund Me. That would be fraud.
#13 by Mike D on June 4, 2022 - 5:49 AM
Erik is correct- this is not a fire department, it is more or less a “club.” It is unfortunate that their clubhouse was damaged, but there will be no interruption of service because they have zero, (ZERO) response commitments. It is actually disturbing that this association has received grants and equipment donations in the past because it is a massive waste of taxpayer money- they do not respond to emergencies. The GoFund me page should be removed or drastically modified to state they need money to fix their clubhouse. It is very misleading and a massive failure of media with the incorrect reporting that has taken place.
#14 by Ray Stantz on June 3, 2022 - 9:37 PM
Were their engine’s damaged? If they weren’t damaged but inside, seems suspicious. If they weren’t inside, curious where they were when this was happening which also looks suspicious. If it’s fraud, it will eventually come out.
#15 by Erik H on June 3, 2022 - 2:18 PM
They have an FDID because it stays with the dept forever. They are not active. They do not respond to incidents. They have no dispatch or Mabas affiliation. The “district” is two streets. It is covered by Hazel Crest and has been for years. There is a list of other local depts with FDIDs that are inactive; Holbrook, Dixie Gardens, Olympia Gardens, Sunnyside. It is unfortunate that their building was damaged and the contents destroyed however it’s fraudulent that they state in their go fund me that they need to maintain service to their residents and call themselves a dept. Perhaps they should say they are an association.
#16 by Ed on June 3, 2022 - 8:53 AM
Yes, they do have a CS number from the OSFM. No, they are not considered a fully active fire department by the state legislative statutes. There are a lot of departments in the state that have a CS number even though they are defunct. By state tax laws, they have to be given a number still. I’m honestly shocked that an insurance company would even take on the liability of insuring them. I’m curious what their risk insurance policy is like. In these days of scrutinizing response times and department staffing, I don’t know why these small volunteer departments even exist around here. They are on lawsuit away from being closed up.
#17 by Mike hellmuth on June 2, 2022 - 6:28 PM
Reminds me of Garden Homes by Alsip and Merrionette Park but their a little larger Is Homewood Acres just protecting the small area by the firehouse does anyone know the boundaries of their district?
#18 by The DH on June 2, 2022 - 10:59 AM
What is the area they protect? I thought Hazel Crest protected that area?
#19 by Jim S on June 2, 2022 - 10:26 AM
They are a real fire department. State Fire Marshall FDID CS504,
#20 by DENNIS on June 2, 2022 - 10:17 AM
While some people would think that they are not a real department and are scamming people that would be incorrect. They have a FDID by the state fire marshal office and cover a small area. The fact that they are a volunteer fire department willing to take the time to protect an area that no matter how small still contains human lives and property should speak volumes.
There is also another volunteer fire department in cook county that is just as small and they to take the time to protect lives and property so don’t belittle people who care. Even if it’s for free.
#21 by Michael m on June 2, 2022 - 9:12 AM
Looking at pictures of the Homewood Acres station it looks like it is just a garage. I am guessing they had that space added on as an addition? From the news story, it looks like the have a old Plainfield engine and a early 90’s Pierce.
If they are not a real FD who in reality provides coverage to that area? Homewood?
#22 by Erik H on June 2, 2022 - 7:54 AM
You are correct. They are not an active department and offer nothing to the public. Anyone donating to that go fund me is getting taken advantage of because they are misrepresenting themselves as a real dept.
#23 by Mike L on June 2, 2022 - 7:21 AM
I thought Homewood Acres was a firebuff clubhouse for guys that couldn’t get on actual fire departments, like those guys in Lake County years ago that responded to Utica with the “Lost Creek” FD.