Archive for category Fire Department History

Steger Fire Department history

This from Mike Summa for #TBT:

For TBT-This was the Steger Fire Dept.’s Truck 105, a 1988 Pierce Arrow 1250/250/105′(x Park Ridge). Please enjoy and comment.
Mike Summa
#chicagoareafire.com; #TBT; #MikeSumma; #FireTruck; #Pierce; #StegerFD; #history; #ParkRidgeFD;

Mike Summa photo

and from our files:

#chicagoareafire.com; #TBT; #FireTruck; #Pierce; #PierceArrow; #ParkRidgeFD; #shapirophotography.net; #larryshapiro.tumblr.com; #larryshapiro;

Larry Shapiro photo

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Midlothian Fire Department history

This from Mike Summa for #TBT:

For TBT-This is a picture of the Midlothian Fire Dept.  When, I would guess the late 1950’s.  If you know please feel free to inform.
Mike Summa
#chicagoareafire.com; #TBT; #MidlothianFD; #history; #FireTruck;

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New use for old Chicago firehouse (more)

This from Dennis McGuire, Jr:

Excerpts from chicagoblockclub.com:

The rehabilitation of two historical Jefferson Park buildings could help revitalize the neighborhood, and the developer is looking for tenants.

For the past eight years, developer Tim Pomaville has been working to transform the Jefferson Park firehouse at 4841 N. Lipps Ave. into a mixed-use residential development. The initial plans involved Lake Effect Brewing Company setting up its taproom on the ground floor, but years of delays and complications to buy and rezone the property prompted the brewery to pull the plug in 2022.

Ambrosia Homes, Inc. has similar plans for the Lero building at 4762 N. Milwaukee Ave. Pomaville. Both buildings are ready for commercial tenants to draw people to Jefferson Park. Ambrosia Homes unveiled plans to invest $2.4 million into the former Jefferson Park firehouse in 2018.

Built in 1906, the firehouse has been vacant for years. The city council agreed to sell the property to Ambrosia Homes in 2021 as part of its $1 land sale program. Ambrosia paid $208,000 to the city, which used the money for remediation reimbursement. Lead paint and asbestos had to be removed from the fire station.

With Lake Effect’s taproom on the ground floor, the plan was to add a third floor and building nine apartment units in the upper levels.

The property had to undergo a zoning change in 2020, and a liquor sales ban was lifted along the street in 2021. After six years of waiting, Lake Effect couldn’t weather any more delays as its lease at 4727 W. Montrose Ave. was up at the end of 2022, the owner said at the time. Instead, the brewery found a different location.

Now, Ambrosia Homes is looking for another business to take over the space. The ground floor could be split into two 4,000-square-foot units that would each be rented for about $3,700 a month. Plans for the residential portion of the building have also changed. The firehouse will likely remain two stories, and the upstairs will have four apartments.

While some potential tenants have asked about buying the firehouse, Ambrosia Homes is not looking to sell.

Named after its former owner, the building functioned as a billiard hall and amateur boxing ring in the 1920s. Over the years, the two-story bow truss building has also housed a relief center for people struggling with food insecurity, a community hall and a furniture business. The building has largely sat vacant for the past 30 years.

The Lero is a prime location just a short walk from the Jefferson Park Blue Line station and next to a cannabis dispensary called Cannabist, which revitalized two empty storefronts in 2022.

Like the Jefferson Park firehouse, the Lero’s ground floor could be split into two 5,000-square-foot units. Rent for each would be $3,800 a month, but Ambrosia Homes is willing to sell the building for $695,000.

If Ambrosia retains ownership of the Lero, they plan on building six apartments on the upper floor and are considering adding a third floor. The building has six parking spots in the back.

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Lansing Fire Department history

This from Mike Summa for #TBT:

For TBT-This was the Lansing Fire Dept.’s Engine 103, a 1974 Mack CF 1250/500.  Photo courtesy Lansing Prof. Fire Fighters Union 3709.   Enjoy and comment.
Mike Summa 
#chicagoareafire.com; #LansingFD; #TBT; #firetruck; #MikeSumma; #historic; #vintage;

Photo courtesy Lansing Prof. Fire Fighters Union 3709

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Lemont Fire Protection District history

This from Mike Summa for #TBT:

For TBT-This was the Lemont FPD’s Squad 916, a 1978 GMC/Hammerly 500/400/10F.  Shown her in a photo taken at a Worth parade sometime later, I do not recall the year.  At this time the owner was the City of Palos Hills ESDA #880.  Enjoy and comment.
Mike Summa
#chicagoareafire.com; #Hammerly; #FireTruck; #PalosHillsESDA; #TBT; #LemontFPD; #history;

Mike Summa photo

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Palos Heights Fire Protection District history

This from Mike Summa for #TBT:

For TBT-This was the Palos Heights FPD’s Engine 6413, a 1970’s American LaFrance.  Replaced by the 1996 Pierce Lance previously shown.  Sorry, no year or specs.  Enjoy and comment.
Mike Summa
#chicagoareafire.com; #TBT; #vintage; #FireTruck; #MikeSumma; #PalosHeightsFPD; #history; #classic; #Century; #vintage#AmericanLaFrance;

Mike Summa photo

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Peoria Fire Department news

Excerpts from 25newsnow.com:

It’s been 41 years since Peoria firefighter Vernon “Butch” Gudat died in the line of duty, but Friday, the department and his family members celebrated his legacy.

John Smith worked for the Peoria Fire Department for 29 years. After he retired, he picked up woodwork. His hobby of building tables started when Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger asked Smith to build a table for the new firehouse, Station 4.

Smith has finished several tables since then, the most recent being a dinner table for Fire Station 10 in honor of Gudat, where he was working when he responded to a fire in downtown Peoria on January 23, 1983. He died that morning in the line of duty.

Both of Gudat’s kids were at the reveal on Friday and say it’s amazing to see the fire department continuing to honor their dad 41 years later.

To this day, Vernon “Butch” Gudat is the last Peoria firefighter to die in the line of duty.

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Chicago Fire Department 2023 fire run totals

An additional spreadsheet showing complete Chicago Fire Department run totals for 2023

click HERE

thanks Dennis

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Chicago Fire Department 2023 EMS run totals

We received a spreadsheet with Chicago Fire Department 2023 run totals

  • Ambulance
  • ALS Engine
  • BLS Engine
  • ALS Truck
  • BLS Truck
  • all engines
  • all trucks
  • company totals

download it HERE

thanks Scott

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Momence Fire Protection District history

This from Mike Summa for #TBT:

For TBT-This is the Greater Momence FPD’s Rescue 97, a 1989 GMC 7000/E-1.  Enjoy and comment.
Mike Summa
#chicagoareafire.com; #TBT; #MomemceFPD; #history; #FireTruck; #MikeSumma; #EONE; #E-ONE;

Mike Summa photo

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