Posts Tagged Belvidere Fire Department

One dead after storm hits Belvidere, 3-31-23

Excerpts from wsiltv.com:

One person was killed and 28 others were injured after a full roof collapse at the Apollo Theatre in Belvidere, Illinois, on Friday evening. Approximately 260 people, including guests, performers and staff, were inside the venue for a metal rock concert at the time of the collapse.

Belvidere is in northern Illinois, approximately 14 miles outside the city of Rockford. Despite severe weather in the region, there were no reports of an actual tornado hitting the area, Belvidere Fire Chief Shawn Schadle said.

During their initial response, crews coming into the building assisted in getting people out from under the debris. Crews established a triage center and relocation point for victims. Twenty-eight people were transported by ambulance to nearby hospitals. Five had severe injuries; 18 had moderate injuries; and five had minor injuries. 

An investigation into the collapse is ongoing. 

Excerpts from rockrivercurrent.com:

 Gov. JB Pritzker visited The Apollo Theatre on Sunday where he praised concert-goers and emergency personnel for their quick actions Friday after a tornado ripped the roof off the historic structure.

He was in town to survey the damage and pledge the state’s support to Belvidere’s recovery efforts. His visit came one day after issuing a disaster proclamation, which paves the way for state funding and other resources to help residents and businesses affected by the powerful storms. The disaster proclamation includes Boone, Crawford, DuPage, Marion, and Sangamon counties.

The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado ripped a path from Davis Junction to Belvidere, culminating in the collapse of the Apollo’s roof during a concert. The collapse killed Fred Livingston Jr., a 51-year-old father of three. There were 48 other people injured, including five who remain in critical condition.

The injuries sustained have not been specified, but the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director said they were from blunt-force trauma and other soft-tissue wounds.

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Belvidere Fire Department news

Excerpts from wifr.com:

The City of Belvidere announced Captain Shawn Schadle as the next chief of the Belvidere Fire Department.

Chief Schadle will be sworn in at 10 a.m. Monday, May 16 at the Belvidere Community Building. The community is invited to join for the ceremony.

Schadle will succeed Chief Al Hyser as the 15th appointed fire chief in the department’s 136 year history.

The new chief started his career at the Belvidere Fire Department in June 2006, since rising through the ranks of lieutenant in 2015, to his current position of captain in 2018.

Schadle holds a master’s in business administration and finance from the University of Nebraska, a bachelor’s from Illinois Wesleyan University and is a certified Chief Fire Officer with the Office of the State Fire Marshall. During his time at the Belvidere Fire Department Captain Schadle has worked on many committees and projects for the betterment of the department, the safety of its members and to further provide excellent service to the citizens of Belvidere and those that visit here

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Working fire in Belvidere, 9-2-20

Excerpts from wifr.com:

The Belvidere Fire Department was called to the 600 block of W. Locust Street for a report of smoke coming from a multi-family apartment building at 10:36 a.m Wednesday morning (9/2/20). First responders Firefighters reported light smoke showing from the rear of the three-story building while evacuation was taking place.

The fire was found and extinguished in a second level apartment of the 16-unit apartment complex. 

The fire was ruled accidental and caused $20,000 damage to the structure which is valued at $950,000. Area departments that responded with Belvidere were Boone County Fire Districts #2 and #3, Cherry Valley Fire, Marengo Fire, Boone County EMA, OSF Lifeline, and the Capron Rescue Squad.

Firefighter stretches hose at fire truck

Tim Olk photo

smoke from apartment building

Tim Olk photo

Firefighters at t he scene of a small fire in an apartment building in Belvidere, IL 9-2-20

Tim Olk photo

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