Deputy Fire Chief Ray Larson « chicagoareafire.com

This from Deputy Chief Ray Larson:

Deerfield-Bannockburn FD Truck 20 went to the Pierce Manufacturing Refurbishment Center located in Weyauwega, WI for body and paint work, and upgraded equipment. Due to the detail in preventative and routine maintenance over the life of the truck, there was not a need for a full frame-off refurbishment. This attention to detail saved approximately 70K dollars. In addition to repairing and painting areas that contain oxidation from harsh winters and road salt, the truck will gain an upgraded camera for driving/backing, LED rope lighting along the aerial device, illuminated painted ladder rungs, and LED aerial tip lighting. It is anticipated we will have the truck back in August ’17.

fire truck aerial ladder removed from truck

John Cope photo

part of a fire truck aerial ladder removed from truck

John Cope photo

John Cope photo

parts of a fire truck aerial ladder removed from truck

John Cope photo

Tags: aerial fire truck taken apart for refurbishment, Deerfield Bannockburn FPD truck refurb, Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District, Deputy Fire Chief Ray Larson, fire truck aerial ladder removed from truck, John Cope

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Firefighters rescued three juveniles from the top of the Deerfield water tower near the Kates Road Bridge Friday night after the group climbed the tower and was unable to get down.

No one was injured in the rescue that saw members of the Deerfield Bannockburn Fire Protection District ascend the tower.

Deerfield police were on routine patrol when they saw the three Northbrook minors on the top of the approximately 140-foot tower and called the fire department to assist, said Deputy Fire Chief Ray Larson.

“They climbed to the top of the tower and were too afraid to get down,” Larson said. “We were able to make voice contact with them and phone contact and determined they were not hurt.”

The rescuers were part of the department’s technical rescue team trained to deal with high angle rope rescues, confined spaces, trench collapses and building or structural collapses, Larson said.

Firefighters Jeff Kates and Bill Pauly from the Deerfield Bannockburn district and another firefighter from Prospect Heights participated in the rescue.