This from Larry Shapiro:
Here are a few more images of the new Battalion 6 for Hoffman Estates. I was told that it was originally conceived prior to the new Squad 22. It carries SCBA for the BC, Lucas tool, rehab supplies, and various other tools and equipment.
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Des Plaines firefighters were called to 886 Webster Lane Wednesday afternoon for fire in an attached garage. Arriving companies were met by heavy fire and requested an upgrade to a working fire response. Fire appeared to be contained to the garage and the rooms directly above. Des Plaines companies were assisted by Niles, Elk Grove Township, Mt Prospect, and Park Ridge.
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
more on the New squad for Hoffman Estates
From the Maintainer Custom Bodies Facebook page:
Congratulations to Hoffman Estates Fire Department on their new MCB paramedic squad unit, which recently headed to Illinois! This 12′ all-aluminum body is mounted on a Chevy MD Diesel 4×4 chassis. It is packed with custom storage! Federal Signal added some cool lighting & sirens, as we were hoping to show this unit off at FDIC. Since we now can’t meet in person, check out this brief video instead!
This from Larry Shapiro:
I stopped by Hoffman Estates Station 22 and grabbed some photos of Squad 22. Additionally, I was told that their minimum staffing is 23 which includes five at the other three stations, each of which have an engine and ambulance. Station 22 has a BC, two on the truck, two on the squad, and three on the engine. If they’re at full staffing then the ambulance at 22 is staffed. Otherwise there are only staffed ambulances at the other three stations.
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Jun 18
This from Larry Shapiro for #TBT
Oakbrook Terrace classic 85′ Pitman Snorkel on a conventional GMC chassis with a Pierce body
Larry Shapiro photo
Excerpts from the Waukegan FD Facebook page:
This afternoon around 3pm the Waukegan Fire Department responded to a working structure fire in a large strip mall in the 2300 block of Grand Ave. First arriving units found smoke and fire showing from the roof line of this 15 unit strip mall with a large attached medical building.
Chief Bridges would like to express how proud he is and hopes that everyone else should be as well with the firefighters that extinguished this rapidly advancing fire and safely mitigated a potentially disastrous outcome! The Waukegan spirit of teamwork was shining through the many community members who acted quickly to move vehicles that were impeding access to strip mall. The aggressive tactics deployed by firefighters prevented the fire from destroying both the medical building and adjacent businesses, over half of which reopened their doors within two hours. While there was some damage, much more extensive damage was prevented. We are pleased to share that there were no injuries.
Thank you to our neighboring fire departments who assisted and the Waukegan Police Department that handled traffic control and scene safety during the rush hour.
Waukegan Fire Marshal Lenzi is investigating the cause of the fire.
Waukegan FD photo
Waukegan FD photo
Waukegan FD photo
Waukegan FD photo
Waukegan FD photo
Waukegan firefighters were called too 2323 Grand Avenue this afternoon after roofers apparently ignited a fire that caused heavy damage to the roof, facia, and stores below. The fire was upgraded to a MABAS Box Alarm with a North Chicago engine and Gurnee truck to the scene plus multiple towns providing station coverage. The fire was extinguished in about 40 minutes.
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
This from Mike Summa for #TBT:
For TBT-Crete Fire Dept.’s E708, a 1982 Hendrickson/FMC 1500/750.Mike Summa
Mike Summa photo
and one more shot from the archives of Larry Shapiro
Larry Shapiro photo
Northbrook firefighters were sent to 4040 Timberlane Drive in a section of unincorporated Cook County this afternoon (5/6/20) for reports of smoke from a house. An officer from the Cook County Sheriff’s Department arrived first and advised there were flames from the roof. This address is in the far southwest corner of Northbrook’s district close to the borders of Glenview, Wheeling, and Prospect Heights and the only hydrant for this several block long street is at the entrance at Sanders Road. This prompted a response from Prospect Heights FPD Tanker 9.
Larry Shapiro photo
Northbrook Engine 10 was the first fire suppression company and laid 5″ hose from the hydrant to the house. Companies had an advanced attic fire and heavy smoke on arrival and the alarm was upgraded to a working fire bringing companies from Glenview and Wheeling in addition to all of the Northbrook units and Prospect Heights Tanker 9.
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
The fire was attacked with tank water until the water supply was established. It appeared that three lines were used to extinguish the fire. Northbrook Tower 12 ventilated the roof from their platform. Nobody was home at the time of the fire.
Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
Wheeling Fire Department Fire Chief Mike McGreal. Larry Shapiro photo
Mike McGreal was sworn in Monday as Wheeling’s new fire chief, minus the public ceremony that typically occurs for such milestones in a village hall packed with supportive friends, family, and colleagues. Due to the need for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, McGreal was sworn in by Wheeling’s clerk near the flagpole outside village hall. McGreal, 57, replaces Keith MacIsaac, who retired last week after 30 years as Wheeling’s fire chief.
McGreal previously was with the Wilmette Fire Department, retiring as chief there in 2017 before joining Wheeling later that year. He was Wheeling’s deputy fire chief before his elevation to the top post Monday. He came to Wheeling in 2017 to assist MacIsaac in a succession plan.
McGreal’s credentials include certification as a chief fire officer by the National Fire Academy, the Illinois state fire marshal, and the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
Mike spent 29 years with Wilmette, working his way up to deputy fire chief and then chief for 3½ years before deciding the time was right to retire and hand the department to new leadership. A second-generation firefighter, McGreal’s father served with the Chicago Fire Department for 36 years.
McGreal is an avid sailor who has made four solo crossings of Lake Michigan.
Wheeling has had only three fire chiefs since 1969. That’s when Bernie Koeppen became the village’s first full-time fire chief, followed by MacIsaac 30 years ago, and now McGreal.
Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
Wheeling Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac. Larry Shapiro photo
Wheeling Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac will end his 30-year tenure leading the department and head into retirement Friday. Deputy Fire Chief Mike McGreal is scheduled to be sworn in as MacIsaac’s replacement Monday. McGreal previously spent 29 years with the Wilmette Fire Department, retiring as chief there in 2017 before joining Wheeling later that year.
Officials thanked MacIsaac for his many contributions, in particular his leadership in fire prevention. He’s credited with Wheeling becoming one of the first towns in Illinois to require the installation of fire sprinklers in all new homes.
Wheeling Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac. Larry Shapiro photo
MacIsaac worked for fire departments in Lake Zurich, Mount Prospect, and Buffalo Grove before joining Wheeling. He also spent time as a safety specialist and fire chief/fire protection engineer for Monsanto Co. in Missouri and Louisiana.
In 2011, MacIsaac’s insistence on fire safety drew complaints from the Wheeling High School student council. Village board members supported MacIsaac at a meeting when students complained about how he ordered the removal of gossamer paper homecoming decorations after spotting them on a ceiling too close to hot lights while he attended a coronation assembly. Although the students claimed the decorations were fire retardant, MacIsaac lit a bit of the paper on fire to show the danger before administrators removed them from the ceiling.
Wheeling and Prospect Heights firefighters and police were dispatched for a reported plane crash just before 7PM Thursday evening (4/2/20) at the Chicago Executive Airport. Units were advised by the tower that a small plane with one soul on board had landed but was resting in roughly two feet of water in a drainage ditch alongside the runway. Wheeling Battalion 24 found the pilot in good condition inside the plane and no hazards. Only units from the still district were held at the scene and all others were held up. The pilot self extricated from the plane and signs a medical release form at the scene. One fire company remained on the scene as a wrecker arrived to remove the plane, a Cessna Skyhawk, from the ditch.
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
