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Posts Tagged audio from historic fire

Chicago historic fire ground traffic

Apr 6

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Historic FD radio trafic | Comments off

This from Steve Redick:

Here’s something for you old CFD fans. This recording was made in the 80s when we were dispatching from engine 25’s former quarters on Taylor Street. The voice you hear at the beginning of the tape is retired senior fire Alarm operator Jim Evans. I believe this is a recording he made. Those with really sharp ears will detect the voice of Dennis Dougherty now deceased former assistant chief fire alarm operator.
Steve

here’s another oldie … the operator at Main is my old partner, the late Ron Heckla … he was a switchboard man and very new on the job at this time … I recognize Dick Sterling as the voice in the old 7th battalion …

Steve

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Chicago Fire Department historic radio traffic

Mar 9

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Historic FD radio trafic | 1 Comment

This from Steve Redick:

I dove into my audio archives today and found this gem…6/6/87, at 2431 S Wolcott  4-11 at Hines Lumber. By the time I arrived it was over.

Steve

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Historic CFD radio traffic: 3-11 Alarm Century Lumber 6-6-78

Apr 20

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History, Historic FD radio trafic | 3 Comments

This from Steve Redick; Century Lumber fire at Diversey and Clybourn, June 6, 1978 went to a 3-11:

Here’s a real blast from the past. I recorded this using a plain old cassette recorder and microphone held up to the scanner speaker while I was living at my grandparent’s house. It has held up pretty well over the years. I recognize Art Benker on the main radio at the start of the fire, and the Division Marshal was Joe Brichetto, my dad’s boss when he was in the 10th battalion. You can hear the water task force and the fireboat as well as some talk about Big John and Little John … ahhh those were the days …

Steve

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Historic CFD radio traffic: Chicago riots

Apr 12

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History | 3 Comments

This from Steve Redick:

Once again, thanks to Kevin Kirkley for hooking us up with this. Four recordings from the riots. I’m told the last two parts are rare and seldom heard.
My father was an officer on the west side when these fires occurred, and my mom recalls having to drive him to Engine 7’s house when they issued the recall for off-duty members. I was only a kid, but I remember hearing all this on the radio, and being very scared when they left, fearing my dad would get shot or hit by a bottle or rock. Needless to say he had quite an experience, but came home in one piece.
Steve

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Historic 1967 McCormick Place fire audio

Apr 9

Posted by Admin in Fire Department History | 3 Comments

This from Steve Redick:

Thanks again to Kevin Kirkley for sharing this one with us. The audio starts at the 3-11 and as many times as we may all have heard this, it is interesting … Anyone know the real story behind “no not fog-pressure but high-pressure”  ??

Also notice the famous send everybody available request?  This was Mayor Daley’s palace and Commissioner Quinn was really on the spot.

Steve

From Wikipedia:

The 1960 exposition hall was destroyed in a spectacular 1967 fire, despite being thought fireproof by virtue of its steel and concrete construction. At the time of the fire, the building contained highly combustible exhibits, several hydrants were shut off, and there were no sprinklers on the main floor where the fire started. Thus the fire spread quickly and destructively, taking the life of a security guard.[4] The fire was investigated by a team led by Rolf H. Jensen, Professor of Fire Protection Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology, who later went on to found RJA Group. Many lessons were learned and the city’s building code was amended so a similar situation would not be repeated. Although many wanted to rebuild the hall on a different site, Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley elected to rebuild on the foundations of the burned building. The new design of dark steel and glass, by Gene Summers of C. F. Murphy and Associates (and formerly of Mies van der Rohe‘s office) contrasted markedly with the white look of the structure that had burned down. On January 3, 1971, the replacement building, later called the East Building and now called the Lakeside Center, opened with a 300,000 square feet (28,000 m2) main exhibition hall.

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