Posts Tagged HME

Stone Park Fire Department photo history

Mar 17

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department History, Fire Department News, LODD, updated listing | Comments off

Stone Park Fire Department photo history

Another photo history gallery has been added to the site. Stone Park, in MABAS Division 20 has a gallery HERE showing apparatus dating back to 1954. Their history is rich with Darley and E-ONE rigs, and a classic custom Pirsch.

One of their current engines was an emergency purchase to replace a 2002 HME/Darley engine that was damaged beyond repair in a traffic collision on April 27, 2004. The accident involved the Stone Park engine and a Northlake engine, both of which were responding to an alarm. The collision resulted in the death of Jeffrey Bergstrom, a part-time firefighter for the Stone Park Fire Department. The Illinois Fire Service Institute Firefighter Record has a summary of the accident with scene photos. The article includes the following:

In addition to serving as a part-time firefighter and paramedic for the Stone Park Fire Department, Bergstrom was also a paramedic for Ambulance Company 44 of the Chicago Fire Department. Firefighters and paramedics from both departments joined firefighters from around the country in paying tribute to Bergstrom during a funeral procession through several Chicago suburbs and at a memorial service in Hillside, Illinois.

Tags: Bill Friedrich, Darley, E-ONE, FF/PM Jeffrey Bergstrom, fire department history, Firefighter LODD, HME, Illinois Fire Service Institute, Larry Shapiro, MABAS Division 20, Stone Park Fire Department

Robbins has been added to the site

Jan 29

Posted by bgshap in Fire Department News, Fire Service News, New Listing | 2 Comments

The Robbins Fire Department in MABAS Division 22 has now been added to the site. Robbins has one station with four engines, a tower ladder, and a mini-pumper. The engines are from Darley, E-ONE, Fire-Max, and HME. The Darley is a former Orland engine and the E-ONE came from Riverside. They provide EMS first responders to assist Bud’s Ambulance Service who is contracted for ALS service to the community. The mini-pumper was built by Hammerly on a Dodge chassis (correction … a Ford chassis). This was formerly owned by a department somewhere on the East Coast (correction … by Libertyville, IL).

The Robbins Fire Department station at 3327 W. 137th Street with Chicago style red doors, each featuring the company labels. Karl Klotz photo

Engine 2923 formerly saw service in Riverside, IL. Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

This engine was originally built for the Orland Fire Protection District. It was part of an order of five units from Darley on Spartan Gladiator chassis. There were three engines, a 55-foot Snorkel, and a 100-foot LTI rear-mount tower ladder.Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

Tags: Bud's Ambulance Service, Darley, Dennis MGuire Jr, E-ONE, Fire Max, HME, Karl Klotz, LTI, MABAS Division 22, Orland Fire Protection District, Riverside Fire Department, Robbins Fire Department, Snorkel

Wauconda Box Alarm 1-22-11

Jan 22

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire Department News, Fire Service News | Comments off

The Wauconda Fire Department in MABAS Division 4 was called to the scene of a single-family house fire shortly after 1PM today at 1116 Madison Avenue. Companies found heavy fire in the garage of the structure that was communicating to the house and attic area. They upgraded the response to a MABAS Box Alarm bringing mutual aid from several departments. There was no one home at the time of the fire and though the garage sustained heavy damage to the roof and the vehicle parked inside was destroyed, damage to the main house was limited to the area directly behind the two-story garage.

Companies assisting at the fire were from Lake Zurich, Lake Villa, Nunda, Barrington, Round Lake, Mundelein, Countryside, and Long Grove.

Larry Shapiro took in the fire, but arrived after it was knocked down. Here are several images from the scene.

Wauconda Fire Department house fire Madison Ave Jan 22, 2011

Wauconda Engine 341 was the still engine to the fire at 1116 Madison Avenue and had three lines off. It is a 2009 HME/Ferrara Intruder. Larry Shapiro photo

From the street it would appear that the window above the garage might have been a bedroom, when in fact there was no floor or buildout in that area. Larry Shapiro photo

Also, there was no second floor above the garage floor even though there was a fair sized window installed in the wall as is visible in this street image from Google Maps.

The house at 1116 Madison Avenue in Wauconda prior to the fire as seen on Google Maps.

Several of the gusset plates securing the light-weight constructed roof trusses failed in the garage area.

The roof trusses above the garage as seen from the driveway. Larry Shapiro photo

A closeup view showing the gusset failures on the roof trusses. Larry Shapiro photo

Mutual aid companies were staged on Bonner Road.

Round Lake, Mundelein, Countryside, and Long Grove apparatus is stage on Bonner Road. Larry Shapiro photo

Wauconda firefighters hit hot spots in the garage during the overhaul phase. Larry Shapiro photo

Wauconda Fire Department house fire Madison Ave Jan 22, 2011 Nunda ambulance

Nunda FPD Ambulance 1351 is staged on Bonner Road. Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro has a gallery of images which can be seen HERE.

Tags: Ferrara, garage fire, Google Maps, HME, house fire, Intruder, Larry Shapiro, light-weight construction, MABAS Box Alarm, MABAS Division 4, Wauconda Fire Department

Chciago Level 1 Haz Mat 1-10-11

Jan 10

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire Department News, Fire Service News, Reader submission | Comments off

There was a Level 1 Haz Mat at 204 N. Artesian (Artesian and Lake) today as well. People’s Gas was digging and struck a 4-inch medium-pressure gas line almost directly underneath the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Green Line running down Lake Street. Engine 26, Truck 7, Battalion 12, Squad 2, and 5-1-1 (Hazardous Incident Team) made the run. Engine 26 led out a 2.5″ as a precaution, and Battalion 12 had the CTA shut down the ‘EL’ as People’s Gas made a quick shut down of the leaking section of pipe.

Dan McInerney submitted the following images.

Chicago Level 1 Haz Mat January 10, 2011

This is an overview of the scene showing representatives from CFD, CPD, CTA and People's Gas. The CTA shutdown lasted approximately 15 minutes. Dan McInerney photo

Chicago Level 1 Haz Mat January 10, 2011 Chicago Battalion 12

Battalion 12 was the chief due on the Still Alarm for the gas leak today at 204 N. Artesian. Dan McInerney photo

The company from Engine 26 stands by with a dry 2.5" line as a safety precaution. Dan McInerney photo

Haz Mat unit 5-1-1 and Squad 2 (5-5-2) sit side-by-side under the elevated tracks on Lake Street. 5-1-1 is one of two 2003 American LaFrance Eagle/Rescue Master squads. Squad 2 is one of three 2000 HME/Central States squad units. Dan McInerney photo

Chicago Level 1 Haz Mat January 10, 2011 Chicago Engine 26

Engine 26 (D-615) is a one-of-a-kind 2003 Spartan Gladiator/Crimson engine. One of the unique elements of this unit is the red paint on the headlight bezels which is normally chromed. Dan McInerney photo

This is one of the CTA EMergency Response Units. They run with red lights and sirens to any event city-wide that disrupts CTA service. Dan McInerney photo

Chicago Level 1 Haz Mat January 10, 2011 Truck 7

Chicago Truck 7, a 2002, Pierce Dash, 100' rear mount, medium duty aerial, is staged on Lake Street at the Level 1 Haz Mat incident today. Dan McInerney photo

Tags: American LaFrance, Central States, Chicago Battalion 12, Chicago Engine 26, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Haz Mat 5-1-1, Chicago HIT 5-1-1, Chicago Squad 2, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Truck 7, CTA, CTA Green Line, Dan McInerney, Eagle, gas leak, HME, people's Gas, Rescue Master

Lake Bluff 2-11 Alarm

Jan 3

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News | 1 Comment

A fire was reported this morning in Lake Bluff and with a header visible from the fire station, the alarm was upgraded to a working fire prior to the arrival of the first unit. Companies arrived at 113 Woodland Avenue and reported heavy smoke from the structure. The fire was quickly elevated to a MABAS Box Alarm shortly thereafter. Lake Bluff was assisted by Knollwood and Lake Forest on the initial alarm, and companies from Highwood, Highland Park, North Chicago, Libertyville, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, and Countryside were due on the box alarm. A 2nd Alarm was requested another 30 minutes later as fire broke through the roof. The older tudor home needed extensive overhaul which required several companies for relief.

Tim Olk was not too far away when the fire came in and made it to the scene just after the initial companies arrived. Jeff Rudolph also made it in and submitted several images. Tim’s images will be posted in an update.

Lake Bluff Fire Department 2-11 alarm fire Jan 3, 2011

Knollwood Truck 44 was the first-in truck. Knollwood and Lake Bluff respond together on most alarms. Jeff Rudolph photo

Lake Bluff Engine 519, a 2007 Pierce Saber was the first engine on the scene and setup in the 'A' Sector in front of the house. Jeff Rudolph photo

Lake Bluff Fire Department 2-11 alarm fire Jan 3, 2011 Highwood Fire Department

Highwood Truck 37 was due on the Box Alarm with their 2001 HME Smeal 75' quint. Jeff Rudolph photo

Fire vents through the roof as a firefighter works to hit any remaining fire in the lower soffit. Other firefighters can be seen inside the house on the second floor where the fire has been knocked down already. Jeff Rudolph photo

A light smoke is visible from the front of the house as firefighters chase hot spots and begin overhaul. Jeff Rudolph photo

Firefighters carry a ladder to the roof for safety prior to gaining roof access for ventilation. Jeff Rudolph photo

A firefighter is enveloped in smoke as he works to vent the second floor of the house. Jeff Rudolph photo

Highwood firefighter Karl Klotz regroups in the rear before going in to perform overhaul. Jeff Rudolph photo

Tags: Highwood Fire Department, HME, house fire, Jeff Rudolph, Knollwood FIre Department, Lake Bluff Fire Department, MABAS Box Alarm, Pierce, quint, Saber, Smeal, Tim Olk

Chicago Still and Box Alarm 12-30

Dec 30

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire | Comments off

Karl Klotz took in a Still and Box Alarm fire this morning at 1315 S. Wabash in a commercial occupancy. He posted a few images HERE.

Chicago Fire Department Still and Box Alarm Wabash Avenue

Smoke escapes from the front windows of the Gastro Smokehouse Restaurant on Wabash Avenue this morning. Karl Klotz photo

Chicago Fire Department Still and Box Alarm Wabash Avenue Squad 1

Squad 1's Snorkel is parked near the Still and Box on Wabash. The fire was knocked down with hand lines and an interior attack. Karl Klotz photo

Tower Ladder 5 was located in Sector 1 in the event that the fire extended to the upper floors. Karl Klotz photo

Firefighters remove a ground ladder from the scene and return it to the truck. Karl Klotz photo

Tags: American LaFrance, Central States, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Squad 1, Chicago Tower Ladder 5, commercial fire, Eagle, HME, Karl Klotz, LTI, Snorkel, Still and Box

Chicago Heights Box Alarm 12-24

Dec 25

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Service News, Reader submission | Comments off

Chicago Heights responded to a fire yesterday in a vacant two-story building. On arrival, the first companies had a 35×40 building with heavy smoke conditions. The fire, which is considered to be of a suspicious origin, destroyed the building which consisted of apartments over a vacant store front. Several fire departments including Matteson, Park Forest, South Chicago Heights, Flossmoor, Steger, Crete, and Homewood assisted Chicago Heights. The fire, which was reported around 11AM was in the 200 block of US Route 30.

Tim Olk was on the scene and submitted these images. Tim has a complete gallery which can be seen HERE.

A brief article from CBS Chicago is HERE.

Chicago Heights FD vacant building fire Dec 24, 2010

Elevated master streams from Matteson's ladder and Chicago Heights' tower ladder work to extinguish the blaze in a vacant two-story building on Christmas Eve. Tim Olk photo

Firefighters deploy a hand line through the front door of the vacant storefront as heavy smoke escapes. Tim Olk photo

Heavy fire and smoke escapes from the 'B' side of the building as firefighters ventilate the windows. Tim Olk photo

Chicago Heights Truck 673, an HME/Smeal 100' tower ladder, operates in the 'A' sector directly in front of the building. Tim Olk photo

Fire is visible from both floors in the rear of this vacant building in Chicago Heights. Tim Olk photo

A Chicago Heights firefighter directs the master stream from the bucket of Tower 673 high above the fire building. Tim Olk photo

Tags: Chicago Heights Fire Department, commercial fire, elevated master stream, HME, MABAS Box Alarm, Matteson Fire Department, Smeal, suspicious fire, Tim Olk, tower ladder

Stickney Box Alarm

Dec 17

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Reader submission | Comments off

The Stickney Fire Department had a box alarm this afternoon at 4125 Oak Park Avenue. Josh Boyajian sent this image of Engine 1201 pumping at the scene. The engine is a 2007 HME/Ahrens Fox 1250/1000/30 TM. Truck 1204, a 1997 Spartan Gladiator, 3D 1250/500, Aerial Innovations 105′ rear mount aerial can be seen in the background.

Stickney Fire Department house fire Dec 17, 2010

Stickney Engine 1201 and truck 1204 on the scene of the box alarm fire at 4125 Oak Park Avenue. Josh Boyajian photo

Tags: 3D, Aerial Innovations, Ahrens Fox, engine pumping, Gladiator, HME, Josh Boyajian, Spartan, Stickney Fire Department

Chicago High-Rise Still & Box 12/7

Dec 8

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Reader submission | Comments off

Dam McInerney took in the Still & Box/EMS Plan I in the high-rise at 4800 S. Lake Park yesterday. There was a fire in one apartment on the 9th floor of a 25-story building that measured 50×250. Engine 45 laid two lines to charge the standpipe system. One line off the interior standpipe was used to fight the fire.

Chicago Fire 4800 S. Dolton house fire 2-11 140th street Park

Broken windows on the 9th floor of this 25-story building show the location of the fire unit. Dan McInerney photo

Chicago Fire Department Still & Box 4800 S. Lake Park

Engine 63 is a 2005 Spartan/Crimson engine staged at the scene. Dan McInerney photo

The high-rise hose packs from the engine consist of 50' lengths of 2-1/2" hose with a smoothbore nozzle at the end. The nozzle has a spin down attachment at the end of it where 1-3/4" hose can be attached. This is the same nozzle that they use on their leader lines. Dan McInerney photo

Chicago Fire Department Still & Box at 4800 S Lake Park Engine 16

Engine 16 was on the scene with their 2002 Spartan/Luverne engine (D606). Dan McInerney photo

Truck 16 staged. This is a 2002 Pierce Dash 100' rear mount (E312). Dan McInerney photo

Detail of the graphics on Truck 30. Dan McInerney photo

The company of Tower 37 stands by their rig which is a 1996, HME/LTI 100' rear mount (EE281). Dan McInerney photo

Chicago Fire Department standpipe connection

Engine 45 laid two lines to charge the standpipe system of the building. Dan McInerney photo

The engineer from Engine 45 uses a hydrant pump to drain the water from the hydrant. Dan McInerney photo

Chicago Fire Department command van 273 2-7-3

Command Van 2-7-3 responded to the scene as the mobile command post. Dan McInerney photo

Tags: 2-7-3, 273, Chicago Fire Department, Command Van 273, Dan McInerney, Dash, Engine 16, Engine 45, High-rise fire, HME, LTI, Luverne, Pierce, Spartan, standpipe, Still and Box, Tower 37, Truck 16

Chicago 2-11 on 12/7

Dec 8

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Reader submission | Comments off

Chicago had a 2-11 alarm fire yesterday on the near south side prior to the Leyden fire. Jeff Rudolph was at that scene which was over rather quickly. Before he went to the Leyden fire, he took several photos and submitted these. The fire was at 1500 33rd st.

Engine 39 on-scene at the 2-11 alarm yesterday. This is a 1999 HME Luverne engine. Jeff Rudolph photo

Squad 1 is shutting down their master stream as the fire is knocked on 33rd Street yesterday, In the background, a reserve tower ladder 's master stream is still in operation. Jeff Rudolph photo

Engine 8 was pumping at the fire as well. Their unit is a 2002 Spartan Luverne. Jeff Rudolph photo

Squad 1 uses their Snorkel unit for an elevated master stream. The 55' Snorkels have been a fixture with the Squad companies in Chicago for many years. Their fate is unknown as American LaFrance, the owner/manufacturer of the Snorkel, no longer offers the product. Jeff Rudolph photo

Of the 96 engine companies in Chicago, roughly 15 still still run with these HME SFO/Luverne engines that have a much shorter wheelbase. Here, Engines 39 (1999) and 28 (1997) are pumping side by side at the 2-11, which is somewhat of a rarity. Jeff Rudolph photo

Tags: 2-11 alarm, 33rd street, American LaFrance, Chicago Engine 39, Chicago Engine 8, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Squad 1, HME, Jeff Rudolph, Luverne, Snorkel, Spartan