This from Eric Haak:
Here are a few more images from Chicago’s 3-11 in the 24th Battalion on Sunday. Bitter cold temperatures and limited access for companies to work.
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
From Steve Redick
Steve Redick photo
Dec 27
This from Bill Post:
There is a news headline that Truck 56 and Ambulance 46’s bay door is out of order. They are parked out during the day while at night it sounds like Truck 56 is at Tower Ladder 23 (Engine 108) and Ambulance 46 is at Engine 79. They don’t know how long it will be before they get the parts for repairing the bay door.
Dec 20
Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:
Three people were injured, two critically and the third was in serious condition from an apartment fire Tuesday evening in the 4600-block of North Sheridan, a Chicago Housing Authority senior building called the Ella Flagg Young Apartments.
The fire was contained to a fourth floor unit, which was gutted, but sent smoke up several floors.
The immediate concern for firefighters was the mobility of the elderly residents, and if they needed to be evacuated.
The fire was extinguished quickly with the help of hallway sprinklers and most of the residents sheltered in their units, but some chose to evacuate.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Dec 18
From Danny Nelms:
New engine 108 on 12-13-23
Danny Nelms photo
Dec 12
Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:
It has been an undeniably difficult year for the Chicago Fire Department, losing four firefighters in the line of duty.
On Monday, the department supported the families of those who died in service. They gave a check for $460,000 to 436 families of fallen firefighters.
Jennifer Mayoski lost her husband, Jason, in 2012.
“They’ve been there since day one with us,” Mayoski said. “The CFD community is amazing. They are our second family.”
Their kids were there on Monday to accept the financial and educational assistance granted by the department’s EMWQ Retirees, Widows and Children’s Fund.
“It means that they haven’t forgotten about us. They haven’t forgotten about any of the following firefighters or paramedics. And, this is actually coming from Chicago Fire Department, members and paramedics. They are the ones who are making these donations. So, that’s huge,” Mayoski said.
“There were widows who were going to be evicted. We were able to help them with their rent. We had widows, who didn’t have electricity in their homes. We were able to pay for that. And, it’s all because of the generosity of the people the city of Chicago,” said Anthony Martin with the EMWQ Retirees, Widows and Children’s Fund.
The year 2023 was unprecedented, losing Firefighter Andrew Price in November, Lieutenant Kevin Ward in August and Firefighter Jermaine Pelt and Lieutenant Jan Tchoryk in April.
Pelt’s 7-year-old son, Jared, was also there on Monday, receiving $11,000 from the Jermaine A. Pelt Memorial Fund, the foundation set up after he died.
“They put their life on the line every day for us and run toward danger, just to keep us safe, and it means the world to us to know that these foundations exist, because they are needed,” said Ariana Roby, Jared’s mother.
“To the families who didn’t have the means in the past, this has been very bad. And, just to have these donations, especially at Christmas for the families to let them know that we do care. The sacrifice that their loved ones made it matters, and we are never going to forget,” said CFD Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt.
“As sad as it is, they’re always by our sides,” Mayoski said.
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Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:
Police officers and firefighters would no longer be forced to retire at age 63 under a proposal that’s being considered by a Chicago City Council committee. Supporters say it could save the city money and would help with staffing levels.
The proposal is still in the planning stages at this point, but the chairman of the Committee on Police and Fire said there are a lot of good reasons to consider it, despite concerns about the job of police officer and firefighter perhaps being better suited for younger people.
Police officer retention has been a big concern in recent years, with retirements outpacing the city’s ability to hire and train new recruits and staffing levels falling far below ideal numbers.
The union representing the rank and file is renewing a two-year-old push to extend the retirement age from 63 to 65.
Police and Fire Committee Chair Chris Taliaferro said there would financial benefits for the struggling police pension system with the department down, he said, about 2,000 positions.
One alderman who is a former firefighter said the demands of the job can be tough, even on younger members of the department. But, others say keeping older police officers and firefighters on duty provides leadership, wisdom and experience that is invaluable for both departments.
The committee did not take up the issue on Monday. It is now expected to be addressed at the next meeting on Dec. 18.
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
